Association of Blood Pressure Trajectories in Early Life with Subclinical Renal Damage in Middle Age

Novel biomarkers in patients with uncontrolled hypertension with and without kidney damage

INTRODUCTION

Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) are insensitive biomarkers for early detection of hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD). In this nationwide cross-sectional study, we assessed potential biomarkers for early HMOD in healthy persons and patients with hypertension. We hypothesised that plasma levels of biomarkers: (1) are different between healthy controls and patients with hypertension, (2): can classify patients with hypertension according to the degree of hypertension severity.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Patients with hypertension prescribed ≥2 antihypertensive agents were selected from a multicentre study. Healthy controls were selected from an ongoing study of living kidney donor candidates. Uncontrolled hypertension was defined as systolic daytime ambulatory blood pressure ≥135 mmHg. Kidney HMOD was defined by ACR > 3.0 mg/mmol or eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Patients with hypertension were categorised into three groups: (1) controlled hypertension; (2) uncontrolled hypertension without kidney HMOD; (3) uncontrolled hypertension with kidney HMOD. Fifteen biomarkers were analysed using a Luminex bead-based immunoassay, and nine fell within the specified analytical range.

RESULTS

Plasma levels of Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and uromodulin were significantly different between healthy controls (n = 39) and patients with hypertension (n = 176). In regression models, with controlled hypertension (n = 55) as the reference category, none of the biomarkers were associated with uncontrolled hypertension without (n = 59) and with (n = 62) kidney HMOD. In models adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors and eGFR, osteopontin (OPN) was associated with uncontrolled hypertension without kidney HMOD (odds ratio (OR) 1.77 (1.05-2.98), p = 0.03), and regulated upon activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) with uncontrolled hypertension with kidney HMOD (OR 0.57 (0.34-0.95), p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

None of the biomarkers could differentiate our hypertension groups when established risk factors were considered. Plasma OPN may identify patients with uncontrolled hypertension at risk for kidney HMOD.

The association of long-term trajectories of BMI, its variability, and metabolic syndrome: a 30-year prospective cohort study

Background

Limited data exists on how early-life weight changes relate to metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk in midlife. This study examines the association between long-term trajectories of body mass index (BMI), its variability, and MetS risk in Chinese individuals.

Methods

In the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension study (March 10, 1987-June 3, 2017), 1824 participants with at least five BMI measurements from 1987 to 2017 were included. Using group-based trajectory modeling, different BMI trajectories were identified. BMI variability was assessed through standard deviation (SD), variability independent of the mean (VIM), and average real variability (ARV). Logistic regression analyzed the relationship between BMI trajectory, BMI variability, and MetS occurrence in midlife (URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02734472).

Findings

BMI trajectories were categorized as low-increasing (34.4%), moderate-increasing (51.8%), and high-increasing (13.8%). Compared to the low-increasing group, the odds ratios (ORs) [95% CIs] for MetS were significantly higher in moderate (4.27 [2.63-6.91]) and high-increasing groups (13.11 [6.30-27.31]) in fully adjusted models. Additionally, higher BMI variabilities were associated with increased MetS odds (ORs for SDBMI, VIMBMI, and ARVBMI: 2.30 [2.02-2.62], 1.22 [1.19-1.26], and 4.29 [3.38-5.45]). Furthermore, BMI trajectories from childhood to adolescence were predictive of midlife MetS, with ORs in moderate (1.49 [1.00-2.23]) and high-increasing groups (2.45 [1.22-4.91]). Lastly, elevated BMI variability in this period was also linked to higher MetS odds (ORs for SDBMI, VIMBMI, and ARVBMI: 1.24 [1.08-1.42], 1.00 [1.00-1.01], and 1.21 [1.05-1.38]).

Interpretation

Our study suggests that both early-life BMI trajectories and BMI variability could be predictive of incident MetS in midlife.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China No. 82070437 (J.-J.M.), the Clinical Research Award of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University of China (No. XJTU1AF-CRF-2022-002, XJTU1AF2021CRF-021, and XJTU1AF-CRF-2023-004), the Key R&D Projects in Shaanxi Province (Grant No. 2023-ZDLSF-50), the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (2017-CXGC03-2), and the International Joint Research Centre for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province (2020GHJD-14).

Associations of blood pressure trajectories in early life with target organ damage in midlife : a 30-year cohort study

Hypertension is a pivotal factor in cardiovascular risk. However, the association of longitudinal blood pressure (BP) trajectories in the early life and cardiovascular risk assessed by target organ damage (TOD) in adulthood is poorly reported. The objective of this study was to identify the association between systolic BP, diastolic BP, and mean atrial pressure (MAP) trajectories early in life with a single or multiple TOD in later life. We identified BP trajectories from 6 to 45 year-old using group-based trajectory models among 2430 individuals in the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study and examined the relationship between BP trajectories and cardiovascular risk in later life. Four discrete long-term systolic BP, diastolic BP, and MAP trajectories were identified, namely, low stable, moderate stable, high stable (low increasing), and moderate increasing groups, based on the BP levels at baseline and in the 30-year follow-up. The carotid intima-media thickness were higher in persistently high or increasing trajectories in comparison to the low stable group. Individuals with deteriorative trajectories during early life were at an increased risk of suffering from a single TOD, including left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and carotid atherosclerosis (CA) in middle age (36-49 years old). Moreover, higher BP trajectories were correlated with the presence of combined TODs load stage which were assessed by CA, LVH, arteriosclerosis and subclinical renal damage (SRD). Higher longitudinal BP trajectories early in life were associated with increased cardiovascular risk in midlife, and identifying BP trajectories in early life can help screen individuals with TOD later. LVH, left Ventricular Hypertrophy; CA, carotid atherosclerosis; SRD, subclinical renal damage; TOD, target organ damage.

Association between plant-based dietary pattern and biological aging trajectory in a large prospective cohort

BACKGROUND

Aging is a dynamic and heterogeneous process that may better be captured by trajectories of aging biomarkers. Biological age has been advocated as a better biomarker of aging than chronological age, and plant-based dietary patterns have been found to be linked to aging. However, the associations of biological age trajectories with mortality and plant-based dietary patterns remained unclear.

METHODS

Using group-based trajectory modeling approach, we identified distinctive aging trajectory groups among 12,784 participants based on a recently developed biological aging measure acquired at four-time points within an 8-year period. We then examined associations between aging trajectories and quintiles of plant-based dietary patterns assessed by overall plant-based diet index (PDI), healthful PDI (hPDI), and unhealthful PDI (uPDI) among 10,191 participants who had complete data on dietary intake, using multivariable multinomial logistics regression adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyles factors. Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied to investigate the association between aging trajectories and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

We identified three latent classes of accelerated aging trajectories: slow aging, medium-degree, and high-degree accelerated aging trajectories. Participants who had higher PDI or hPDI had lower odds of being in medium-degree (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.86 for PDI; OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.85 for hPDI) or high-degree (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.86 for PDI; OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.88 for hPDI) accelerated aging trajectories. Participants in the highest quintile of uPDI were more likely to be in medium-degree (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.48, 1.99) or high-degree (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.38) accelerated aging trajectories. With a mean follow-up time of 8.40 years and 803 (6.28%) participants died by the end of follow-up, we found that participants in medium-degree (HR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.29, 1.89) or high-degree (HR = 3.72, 95% CI: 2.73, 5.08) accelerated aging trajectory groups had higher risks of death than those in the slow aging trajectory.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified three distinctive aging trajectories in a large Asian cohort and found that adopting a plant-based dietary pattern, especially when rich in healthful plant foods, was associated with substantially lowered pace of aging.

Association of blood pressure trajectories with coronary heart disease among the disabled population in Shanghai, China: a cohort study of 7 years following up

BACKGROUND

Much less is known about the importance of blood pressure (BP) trajectories concerning the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in people with disabilities. Our aim was to evaluate this association.

METHODS

This cohort study surveyed 5711 adults from the Shanghai Disability Health Survey from June 2012 to June 2019. The latent class growth mixture model was used to examine distinct BP trajectories. We evaluated the association of BP trajectories with the risk of CHD by Cox proportional hazard models. The model for CHD risk fitted to BP trajectories was compared with models fitted to other BP-related indicators by goodness-of-fit, discrimination, and calibration.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 71.74 months, 686 cases (median age was 49.03 (54.49, 58.55) years, 51.90% female) with CHD were identified, with a cumulative incidence of 12.01%. Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were categorized into three classes, respectively. A statistically significant association was only observed between SBP trajectories and CHD. Compared with the normotensive stable SBP group (n = 1956), the prehypertension-stable group (n = 3268) had a higher risk (adjust hazards ratio (aHR) = 1.266, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.014-1.581), and the stage 1 hypertension-decreasing group (n = 487) had the highest risk (aHR = 1.609, 95%CI 1.157-2.238). Among the BP-related indicators, the SBP trajectory was the strongest predictor of new-onset CHD. Findings were similar when sensitivity analyses were conducted.

CONCLUSIONS

SBP trajectory was a more important risk factor for CHD than other BP-related indicators and stringent BP control strategies may be effective for primary CHD prevention in the disabled population.

Hypertension in China: epidemiology and treatment initiatives

The past two to three decades have seen a steady increase in the prevalence of hypertension in China, largely owing to increased life expectancy and lifestyle changes (particularly among individuals aged 35-44 years). Data from the China hypertension survey conducted in 2012-2015 revealed a high prevalence of grade 3 hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥180 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure ≥110 mmHg) in the general population, which increased with age to up to 5% among individuals aged ≥65 years. The risk profile of patients with hypertension in China has also been a subject of intense study in the past 30 years. Dietary sodium and potassium intake have remained largely the same in China in the past three decades, and salt substitution strategies seem to be effective in reducing blood pressure levels and the risk of cardiovascular events and death. However, the number of individuals with risk factors for hypertension and cardiovascular disease in general, such as physical inactivity and obesity, has increased dramatically in the same period. Moreover, even in patients diagnosed with hypertension, their disease is often poorly managed owing to a lack of patient education and poor treatment compliance. In this Review, we summarize the latest epidemiological data on hypertension in China, discuss the risk factors for hypertension that are specific to this population, and describe several ongoing nationwide hypertension control initiatives that target these risk factors, especially in the low-resource rural setting.

Prevalence and associated risk factors for elevated blood pressure in young adults in South Africa

BACKGROUND

Sub-Saharan Africa has been shown to have a high prevalence of hypertension (58% in rural black South Africans) with an accelerated course ending in end-stage renal disease. We sought to determine whether the prevalence of elevated blood pressure (EBP) in early adulthood was associated with any risk factors and/or renal target-organ damage in young adulthood, which could prevent development of these cardiorenal sequelae.

METHODS

Data including risk factors for hypertension and markers of kidney damage were collected from young adults (n = 933; age 28 years; 52% female) participating in the Birth to Twenty Plus (BT20) cohort in Soweto, South Africa. Blood pressure was measured on one occasion.

RESULTS

Fifty-four per cent of the study sample had EBP with more men affected (62%) than women (47%) (p < 0.001). Body mass index (BMI), hyperuricaemia and albuminuria had significant associations with EBP in men. In women, BMI, hyperuricaemia and a self-reported history of gestational hypertension had significant associations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the pathophysiology of EBP in young adults differs between the genders and highlights a number of modifiable factors in its development.

Childhood modifiable risk factors and later life chronic kidney disease: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Relationships between adulthood modifiable risk factors and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are well-established, but associations with childhood risk factors are unclear. This study systematically assesses the published evidence about childhood modifiable risk factors and adulthood CKD.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science to 6th May 2022. Articles were included if (1) they were population-based longitudinal studies, (2) exposures were potentially modifiable, for example through pharmacological or lifestyle modifications, including clinical conditions/measures (diabetes, blood pressure, adiposity, and dyslipidaemia); health behaviours (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, fitness, and poor nutrition); and socio-economic factors (socio-economic position), and occurred during childhood (ages 2-19 years), and (3) outcome was CKD or surrogate markers of CKD in adulthood (ages 20 years or older). Three reviewers independently extracted the data.

RESULTS

15,232 articles were identified after deduplication; 17 articles met the inclusion criteria, reporting childhood blood pressure (n = 8), adiposity (n = 4), type 2 diabetes (n = 1), socio-economic position (n = 1), famine (n = 1), cardiorespiratory fitness (n = 1), and a healthy lifestyle score (n = 1). The results suggested positive associations of childhood adiposity, type 2 diabetes, and low socio-economic position and cardiorespiratory fitness in females with CKD in adulthood. Findings were inconsistent on associations between childhood BP and CKD in adulthood. Childhood healthy lifestyle score and exposure to famine were not associated with risk of CKD in adulthood.

CONCLUSIONS

The limited evidence suggests childhood factors may contribute to the CKD risk in adulthood, particularly adiposity, type 2 diabetes, and low socio-economic position and cardiorespiratory fitness in females. Further high-quality community-based studies are needed with long-term follow-up and investigation of a broader range of modifiable risk factors.

Sex differences in impact of cumulative systolic blood pressure from childhood to adulthood on albuminuria in midlife: a 30-year prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Albuminuria is recognized as being a predictor of cardiovascular and renal disease. We aimed to identify the impact of the long-term burden and trends of systolic blood pressure on albuminuria in midlife, as well as to explore sex differences concerning this relationship.

METHODS

This longitudinal study consisted of 1,683 adults who had been examined 4 or more times for blood pressure starting in childhood, with a follow-up time period of 30 years. The cumulative effect and longitudinal trend of blood pressure were identified by using the area under the curve (AUC) of individual systolic blood pressure measurement with a growth curve random effects model.

RESULTS

Over 30 years of follow-up, 190 people developed albuminuria, including 53.2% males and 46.8% females (aged 43.39 ± 3.13 years in the latest follow-up). The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) values increased as the total and incremental AUC values increased. Additionally, women had a higher albuminuria incidence in the higher SBP AUC groups than men do (13.3% for men vs. 33.7% for women). Logistic regression showed that the ORs of albuminuria for males and females in the high total AUC group were 1.34 (0.70-2.60) and 2.94 (1.50-5.74), respectively. Similar associations were found in the incremental AUC groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher cumulative SBP was correlated with higher uACR levels and a risk of albuminuria in middle age, especially in women. The identification and control of cumulative SBP levels from an early age may assist in reducing the incidences of renal and cardiovascular disease for individuals in later life.

The new visceral adiposity index outperforms traditional obesity indices as a predictor of subclinical renal damage in Chinese individuals: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The new visceral adiposity index (NVAI) was superior to previous obesity indices in predicting cardiovascular diseases among Asians. Nevertheless, the utility of the NVAI for predicting chronic kidney disease is still unclear. The objective of this research was to explore the relationship between the NVAI and subclinical renal damage (SRD) and to investigate whether the NVAI outperforms other common obesity indices in predicting SRD in the Chinese population.

METHODS

Participants in this cross-sectional study were from the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Cohort. The NVAI and seven other common obesity indices were calculated, including body mass index, waist circumference, lipid accumulation product, visceral adiposity index, Chinese visceral adiposity index, a body shape index and metabolic score for visceral fat. Logistic regression models revealed the association between NVAI and SRD. The odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to show the association between the two variables. The predictive power of eight obesity indices for SRD was evaluated through the receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC). In addition, the net reclassification index (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were also applied to compare the incremental predictive value for SRD of different obesity indices.

RESULTS

The median age of the 2358 subjects was 42.00 years. Across NVAI tertiles, the prevalence of SRD was 7.25%, 11.21%, and 21.60%, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, a high level of NVAI remained a risk factor for SRD. The ORs of the middle and top NVAI tertiles for SRD were 1.920 (95% CI: 1.322, 2.787) and 4.129 (95% CI: 2.750, 6.202), respectively. The AUC of the NVAI was 0.666 (95% CI: 0.647, 0.685), which was significantly larger than the AUC of any of the other obesity indicators. Moreover, the NRI and IDI were significantly improved when NVAI was added to the basic model for predicting SRD. Among eight obesity indices, NVAI had the highest NRI (0.392; 95% CI: 0.280, 0.503), and its IDI (0.021; 95% CI: 0.014, 0.027) was second only to that of the body mass index (0.023; 95% CI: 0.014, 0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

NVAI is independently and positively associated with SRD. Among the eight obesity indices, the NVAI shows the strongest predictive power for SRD in the Chinese population. The NVAI may be useful as an effective warning indicator of chronic kidney disease in Chinese adults.

Factors associated with changes in the objectively measured physical activity among Japanese adults: A longitudinal and dynamic panel data analysis

Factors associated with dynamic changes in the objectively measured physical activity have not been well understood. We aimed to 1) evaluate the longitudinal change in the physical activity trajectory according to sex which is associated with age and to 2) determine the factors associated with the dynamic change in physical activity-related variables across a wide age range among Japanese adults. This longitudinal prospective study included 689 Japanese adults (3914 measurements) aged 26-85 years, whose physical activity data in at least two surveys were available. Physical activity-related variables, such as intensity (inactive, light [LPA; 1.5 to 2.9 metabolic equivalents (METs)], moderate-to-vigorous [MVPA; ≥3.0 METs]), total energy expenditure (TEE), physical activity level (PAL), and step count, were evaluated using a validated triaxial accelerometer. Statistical analysis involved the latent growth curve models and random-effect panel data multivariate regression analysis. During a mean follow-up period of 6.8 years, physical activity was assessed an average of 5.1 times in men and 5.9 times in women. The profiles for the inactive time, LPA (only men), MVPA, step count, PAL, and TEE showed clear curvature, indicating an accelerated rate of change around the age of 70. In contrast, other variables exhibited minimal or no curvature over the age span. The MVPA trajectory was positively associated with alcohol consumption, hand grips, leg power, and trunk flexibility and negatively associated with age, local area, body mass index (BMI), comorbidity score, and heart rate over time. Our results indicated that the physical activity trajectory revealed clear curvature, accelerated rate of change around the age of 70, and determined physical health and fitness and BMI as dynamic factors associated with physical activity changes. These findings may be useful to help support populations to achieve and maintain the recommended level of physical activity.

A Novel and Noninvasive Risk Assessment Score and Its Child-to-Adult Trajectories to Screen Subclinical Renal Damage in Middle Age

This study aimed to develop a noninvasive, economical and effective subclinical renal damage (SRD) risk assessment tool to identify high-risk asymptomatic people from a large-scale population and improve current clinical SRD screening strategies. Based on the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Cohort, SRD-associated variables were identified and the SRD risk assessment score model was established and further validated with machine learning algorithms. Longitudinal follow-up data were used to identify child-to-adult SRD risk score trajectories and to investigate the relationship between different trajectory groups and the incidence of SRD in middle age. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and body mass index were identified as SRD-associated variables. Based on these three variables, an SRD risk assessment score was developed, with excellent classification ability (AUC value of ROC curve: 0.778 for SRD estimation, 0.729 for 4-year SRD risk prediction), calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test p = 0.62 for SRD estimation, p = 0.34 for 4-year SRD risk prediction) and more potential clinical benefits. In addition, three child-to-adult SRD risk assessment score trajectories were identified: increasing, increasing-stable and stable. Further difference analysis and logistic regression analysis showed that these SRD risk assessment score trajectories were highly associated with the incidence of SRD in middle age. In brief, we constructed a novel and noninvasive SRD risk assessment tool with excellent performance to help identify high-risk asymptomatic people from a large-scale population and assist in SRD screening.

Association of rate pressure product trajectories at an early age with left ventricular hypertrophy in midlife: a prospective cohort study

The joint effect of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) on cardiovascular disease is unclear. Rate pressure product (RPP), the product of systolic BP and HR, is assessed in this study. This study aimed to determine the longitudinal patterns of RPP from childhood to adulthood and to explore the relationship between RPP trajectories in early life and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in midlife. We included individuals with 3 or more RPP values from 7 visits over a 30-year follow-up period in the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study cohort to fit trajectory groups and performed logistic regression to evaluate the relative risk of developing LVH. Three discrete trajectories in RPP were identified among 2412 participants assessed from childhood to middle-aged adulthood, which were tagged as "low stable," "moderate stable," and "moderate increasing". A higher waist-to-hip ratio, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia were associated with increased RPP trajectories. The Cornell voltage product was positively correlated with RPP in 2017 and was higher in the moderate-stable and moderate-increasing groups than in the low-stable group in RPP trajectories. Compared with the low-stable group, the ORs of LVH were 1.65 (1.13, 2.92) for the moderate-stable and 3.56 (2.26, 5.44) for the moderate-increasing group. Subjects with moderate-stable and moderate-increasing trajectories showed higher probabilities of LVH at an elderly age than those in the low stable trajectory group even after adjusting for multiple cardiovascular risk factors. RPP trajectories are identifiable from childhood and are associated with LVH in midlife. Monitoring RPP trajectories from early life may be an effective approach to predict cardiovascular health status later in life.

Associations of urinary orosomucoid, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, and albumin with blood pressure and hypertension after 7 years. The Tromsø Study

Purpose: Subclinical chronic kidney disease is known to exacerbate hypertension and progression of kidney damage. In order to initiate timely interventions, early biomarkers for this vicious circle are needed. Our aim was to describe the cross-sectional associations of urinary orosomucoid and urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) with blood pressure and the longitudinal associations of urinary orosomucoid and NAG to hypertension after 7 years, and to compare the strength of these associations to the urinary albumin excretion (UAE).Material and methods: The Tromsø Study is a population-based, prospective study of inhabitants of the municipality of Tromsø, Northern Norway. Morning spot urine samples were collected on three consecutive days in the Tromsø 6 survey (2007-2008). We assessed the cross-sectional associations of urinary orosomucoid, NAG and UAE with blood pressure in Tromsø 6. In a cohort of participants attending Tromsø 6 and Tromsø 7 (2015-2016), we studied whether urinary biomarkers were longitudinally associated with hypertension.Results: A total of 7197 participants with a mean age of 63.5 years (SD 9.2), and a mean blood pressure of 141/78 mmHg (SD 23.0/10.6), were included in the study. Orosomucoid and UAE, but not NAG, was significantly associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in all the crude and multivariable cross-sectional analyses. Orosomucoid had consistently, although marginally, stronger associations with blood pressure. Incident hypertension at follow-up (Tromsø 7) was consistently significantly associated with urinary orosomucoid, but not urinary NAG or UAE. However, the standardized regression coefficients for orosomucoid were only marginally stronger than the standardized regression coefficients for ACR.Conclusion: In a cohort from the general population urine orosomucoid had a stronger cross-sectional association with blood pressure than UAE. After 7 years, urine orosomucoid showed the strongest association with incident hypertension. There were varying and weak associations between U-NAG, blood pressure and hypertension.

Multi-trajectories of systolic and diastolic hypertension and coronary heart disease in middle-aged and older adults

Objective

This study aimed to investigate multi-trajectories of systolic and diastolic hypertension and assess their association with the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in middle-aged and older Chinese adults.

Methods

The study cohort comprised 4,102 individuals aged 40-75 years with records of at least four systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). A group-based multi-trajectory model was adopted to identify multi-trajectories of systolic and diastolic hypertension, followed by a logistic model to assess the independent associations between these trajectories and CHD risk. The multinomial logistic model was used to evaluate the impact of baseline covariates on trajectory groups.

Results

Six distinct trajectories for systolic and diastolic hypertension were identified which represent distinct stages of hypertension and were characterized as low-stable, low-increasing, medium-decreasing, medium-increasing-decreasing, isolated systolic hypertension phase, and high-decreasing. Compared with the low-stable group, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 2.23 (1.34-3.70) for the medium-increasing-decreasing group and 1.87 (1.12-3.11) for the high-decreasing group after adjustment for baseline covariates. Compared with the low-increasing group, the ORs and 95% CIs were 1.88 (1.06-3.31) for the medium-increasing-decreasing group. Age, gender, drinking, body mass index (BMI), triglyceride (TG), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were independent predictors for trajectory groups 4 and 6.

Conclusion

Novel, clinically defined multi-trajectories of systolic and diastolic hypertension were identified. Middle-aged and older adults with medium-increasing-decreasing or high-decreasing blood pressure trajectories are potentially critical periods for the development of CHD. Preventing adverse changes in hypertension status and reducing the high risk of CHD is necessary for people in distinct trajectory groups.

Subclinical Acute Kidney Injury in COVID-19: Possible Mechanisms and Future Perspectives

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 disease, a bidirectional interaction between kidney disease and the progression of COVID-19 has been demonstrated. Kidney disease is an independent risk factor for mortality of patients with COVID-19 as well as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection leading to the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with COVID-19. However, the detection of kidney damage in patients with COVID-19 may not occur until an advanced stage based on the current clinical blood and urinary examinations. Some studies have pointed out the development of subclinical acute kidney injury (subAKI) syndrome with COVID-19. This syndrome is characterized by significant tubule interstitial injury without changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Despite the complexity of the mechanism(s) underlying the development of subAKI, the involvement of changes in the protein endocytosis machinery in proximal tubule (PT) epithelial cells (PTECs) has been proposed. This paper focuses on the data relating to subAKI and COVID-19 and the role of PTECs and their protein endocytosis machinery in its pathogenesis.

Isolated diastolic hypertension in childhood and risk of adult subclinical target organ damage: a 30-year prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Data on the association of isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) in childhood with adult cardiovascular risk are scarce. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of IDH in adolescents and to explore the impact of IDH in childhood on adult subclinical target organ damage (STOD).

METHODS

This longitudinal study consisted of 1738 school children (55.4% boys) aged 6-15 years from rural areas of Hanzhong, Shaanxi, who were followed for 30 years. Their blood pressure was recorded to define the hypertension subtypes: normotension, IDH, isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) and mixed hypertension. Tracked STOD included arterial stiffness ( n  = 1738), albuminuria ( n  = 1652) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) ( n  = 1429).

RESULTS

Overall, the prevalence of IDH, ISH and mixed hypertension was 5.4, 2.2 and 3%, respectively, and there was no gender difference. Over 30 years, 366 (21.1%) of participants developed arterial stiffness, 170 (10.3%) developed albuminuria and 68 (4.8%) developed LVH. Compared with normotensive participants, IDH in childhood had higher risk ratio (RR) of experiencing arterial stiffness (RR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.01-2.76) and albuminuria (RR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.35-4.16) in adults after being fully adjusted but not LVH. However, if the elevated blood pressure in children was used as the reference standard, IDH in childhood was associated with adult LVH (RR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.28-4.84).

CONCLUSION

IDH accounts for a higher proportion of adolescent hypertension subtypes and can increase the risk of adult STOD. These results highlight the necessity of improving the prevention, detection and treatment of IDH in adolescents.

Blood Pressure Trajectories From Childhood to Youth and Arterial Stiffness in Adulthood: A 30-Year Longitudinal Follow-Up Study

Background

This study aimed to identify the subgroups of individuals sharing similar blood pressure (BP) trajectories from childhood to youth and explore the associations of these trajectories with arterial stiffness in adulthood.

Methods

A group-based trajectory model was used to identify BP trajectories among 2,082 individuals in the Hanzhong adolescent hypertension cohort by using BP values repeatedly measured at four visits from childhood (6–15 years) to youth (14–23 years). The brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was examined 30 years after the baseline survey. Mixed linear regression models were used to examine the associations of these trajectories with adult baPWV.

Results

Among the 2,082 individuals, three trajectory groups of systolic BP were identified as follows: the low-level group (n = 889), medium-level group (n = 1,021), and high-level group (n = 172). The baPWV in adulthood was higher in medium-level and high-level groups compared with the low-level group (1271.4 ± 224.7 cm/s, 1366.1 ± 249.8 cm/s vs. 1190.1 ± 220.3 cm/s, all p < 0.001). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, the association between baPWV and systolic BP trajectories was statistically significant (adjusted β = 49.4 cm/s; p < 0.001 for the medium-level group and β = 107.6 cm/s; p < 0.001 for the high-level group compared with the low-level group). Similar results were obtained for the association of baPWV with the trajectories of diastolic BP and mean arterial pressure (MAP), except for pulse pressure.

Conclusion

Our investigation demonstrates different BP trajectories from childhood to youth and shows the trajectories of systolic BP, diastolic BP, and MAP are significant predictors of arterial stiffness in adulthood.

Early life body mass index trajectories and albuminuria in midlife: A 30-year prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Albuminuria is a marker of vascular dysfunction and is associated with chronic renal and cardiovascular diseases. Data on the association between the longitudinal patterns of weight change early in life and albuminuria later in life are limited. We aimed to identify the body mass index (BMI) trajectory across a 30-year span and evaluate its association with middle-age albuminuria.

METHODS

Of the 4623 participants aged 6-18-year-old recruited by Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study cohort in northern China from March 10, 1987 to June 3, 2017, a total of 1,825 participants followed up with 6 visits over 30 years were enrolled. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify distinct BMI trajectories in longitudinal analyses. Albuminuria was defined as a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) ≥ 30 mg/g.

FINDINGS

Three distinct BMI trajectories were identified: low-increasing (n = 671, 36.8%), moderate-increasing (n = 940, 51.5%), and high-increasing (n = 214, 11.7%); male participants exhibited a steeper increase in BMI than females. The uACR was increased linearly from the low- to high-increasing group. A total of 201 individuals developed albuminuria, with an incidence of 11.0%. Compared with the low-increasing group, the odds ratio (OR) of albuminuria in middle age was 2.13(95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26 to 3.61) for the high-increasing group after full adjustment for age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, marital status, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. The unadjusted ORs of the high-increasing BMI group were 5.08 (2.76-9.37) for males and 3.45 (1.78-6.69) for females, and the association remained significant in males in the fully adjusted models.

INTERPRETATION

Higher BMI trajectories are associated with higher uACR and an increased risk of albuminuria in middle age, especially in males. Identifying long-term BMI trajectories from an early age may assist in predicting the risk of renal diseases and cardiovascular disease later in life.

FUNDING

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81600327, 82070437, 81870319, 82070549, and 82170437), Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi Province (2021JM-257 and 2021JM-588), Institutional Foundation of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University (2019QN-06 and 2021ZXY-14), the Clinical Research Award of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University of China (XJTU1AF-CRF-2019-004, XJTU1AF2021CRF-021, and XJTU1AFCRF-2017-021), Research Incubation Fund of Xi'an People's Hospital (FZ-61), Grants from the Major Chronic Non-communicable Disease Prevention and Control Research Key Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2017YFC1307604 and 2016YFC1300104).

Associations of Long-Term Visit-to-Visit Blood Pressure Variability With Subclinical Kidney Damage and Albuminuria in Adulthood: a 30-Year Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Recent evidence indicates that long-term visit-to-visit blood pressure variability (BPV) may be associated with risk of cardiovascular disease. We, therefore, aimed to determine the potential associations of long-term BPV from childhood to middle age with subclinical kidney damage (SKD) and albuminuria in adulthood.

METHODS

Using data from the ongoing cohort of Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension study, which recruited children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years at baseline, we assessed BPV by SD and average real variability (ARV) for 30 years (6 visits). Presence of SKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate between 30 and 60 mL/min per 1.73 m² or elevated urinary albumin-to creatinine ratio at least 30 mg/g. Albuminuria was defined as urinary albumin-to creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g.

RESULTS

During 30 years of follow-up, of the 1771 participants, 204 SKD events occurred. After adjustment for demographic, clinical characteristics, and mean BP during 30 years, higher SD_SBP , ARV_SBP , SD_DBP , ARV_DBP , SD_MAP , ARV_MAP , and ARV_PP were significantly associated with higher risk of SKD. When we used cumulative exposure to BP from childhood to adulthood instead of mean BP as adjustment factors, results were similar. In addition, greater long-term BPV was also associated with the risk of albuminuria. Long-term BPV from childhood to middle age was associated with higher risk of SKD and albuminuria in adulthood, independent of mean BP or cumulative exposure to BP during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying long-term BPV from early age may assist in predicting kidney disease and cardiovascular disease in later life.

Long-Term Blood Pressure Exposure From Childhood and Early Vascular Aging in Midlife: A 30-Year Prospective Cohort Study

Early vascular aging (EVA) increases cardiovascular mortality, but its long-term determinants are unknown. We included 2098 participants with ≥4 blood pressure (BP) measurements from childhood to adulthood (from the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Cohort study) to investigate the impact of child-to-adult cumulative BP exposure on EVA patterns in midlife. Participants with EVA had significantly higher long-term BP burden than those with normal vascular age in midlife despite being much younger. Child-to-adult cumulative burden and trends of systolic and diastolic BP were associated with vascular age (standardized regression coefficient [β] = .31 to .53; P < .001 for all). Higher cumulative systolic and diastolic BP exposure significantly increased the risk of EVA in midlife (odds ratio, OR=1.67 to 2.75, P < .05 for all). All associations were independent of socio-demographics and cardiovascular risk factors. Excluding participants who were receiving anti-hypertensive, antidiabetic, or lipid-lowering treatments did not substantially change the above associations. This study, for the first time, reported that high cumulative child-to-adult BP exposure accelerated the vascular aging process. Stabilizing BP across life course could be beneficial to vascular health in the long run.

Triglyceride-glucose index trajectory and arterial stiffness: results from Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Cohort Study

Background

The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) has emerged as a reliable surrogate marker of insulin resistance associated with arterial stiffness. However, most studies were based on a cross-sectional design, and few studies have evaluated the longitudinal impact of the TyG index on arterial stiffness. This study aimed to investigate the associations of single time point measurement and the long-term trajectory of the TyG index with arterial stiffness in a Chinese cohort.

Methods

Data are derived from the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Cohort study. A total of 2480 individuals who participated in the 2017 survey was included in the cross-sectional analysis. A sample of 180 individuals from the sub-cohort with follow-up data in 2005, 2013, and 2017 was enrolled in the longitudinal analysis. The TyG index was calculated as ln (fasting triglyceride [mg/dL] × fasting glucose [mg/dL]/2), and arterial stiffness was determined using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). The latent class growth mixture modeling method was used to identify the TyG index trajectories from 2005 to 2017.

Results

In the cross-sectional analysis, the median age of the study population was 42.8 (39.8, 44.9) years, and 1351 (54.5%) were males. Each one-unit increment in TyG index was associated with a 37.1 cm/s increase (95% confidence interval [CI] 23.7–50.6 cm/s; P < 0.001) in baPWV, and similar results were observed when the TyG index was in the form of quartiles. In the longitudinal analysis, we identified three distinct TyG index trajectories and found that the highest TyG index trajectory carried the greatest odds of increased arterial stiffness, with a fully adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 2.76 (95% CI 1.40, 7.54).

Conclusions

Elevated levels of baseline TyG index and higher long-term trajectory of TyG index were independently associated with increased arterial stiffness. Monitoring immediate levels and longitudinal trends of the TyG index may help with the prevention of arterial stiffness in the long run.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12933-022-01453-4.

Associations of Renalase With Blood Pressure and Hypertension in Chinese Adults

Objective

Renalase, a novel secretory flavoprotein with amine oxidase activity, is secreted into the blood by the kidneys and is hypothesized to participate in blood pressure (BP) regulation. We investigated the associations of renalase with BP and the risk of hypertension by examining renalase single nucleopeptide polymorphism (SNPs), serum renalase levels, and renal expression of renalase in humans.

Methods

① Subjects (n = 514) from the original Baoji Salt-Sensitive Study cohort were genotyped to investigate the association of renalase SNPs with longitudinal BP changes and the risk of hypertension during 14 years of follow-up. ② Two thousand three hundred and ninety two participants from the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study cohort were used to examine the association of serum renalase levels with hypertension. Renalase expression in renal biopsy specimens from 193 patients were measured by immunohistochemistry. ③ Renalase expression was compared in hypertensive vs. normotensive patients.

Results

① SNP rs7922058 was associated with 14-year change in systolic BP, and rs10887800, rs796945, rs1935582, rs2296545, and rs2576178 were significantly associated with 14-year change in diastolic BP while rs1935582 and rs2576178 were associated with mean arterial pressure change over 14 years. In addition, SNPs rs796945, rs1935582, and rs2576178 were significantly associated with hypertension incidence. Gene-based analysis found that renalase gene was significantly associated with hypertension incidence over 14-year follow-up after adjustment for multiple measurements. ② Hypertensive subjects had higher serum renalase levels than normotensive subjects (27.2 ± 0.4 vs. 25.1 ± 0.2 μg/mL). Serum renalase levels and BPs showed a linear correlation. In addition, serum renalase was significantly associated with the risk of hypertension [OR = 1.018 (1.006–1.030)]. ③ The expression of renalase in human renal biopsy specimens significantly decreased in hypertensive patients compared to non-hypertensive patients (0.030 ± 0.001 vs. 0.038 ± 0.004).

Conclusions

These findings indicate that renalase may play an important role in BP progression and development of hypertension.

Association Between Temporal Changes in Diet Quality and Concurrent Changes in Dietary Intake, Body Mass Index, and Physical Activity Among Japanese Adults: A Longitudinal Study

Background

Many cross-sectional studies have identified modifiable factors such as dietary intake, physique, and physical activity associated with diet quality but were unable to determine how a specific individual's diet quality changes with these factors. These relationships may vary depending on an individual's dietary intake. We aimed to determine the association between temporal changes in diet quality and concurrent changes in dietary intake, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity according to the diet quality trajectory pattern.

Methods

This longitudinal prospective study included 697 Japanese adults aged 26–85 years, at baseline, with available data from at least two dietary intake surveys (4,118 measurements). Dietary intake and physical activity were evaluated using validated dietary questionnaires and a triaxial accelerometer. Diet quality was calculated using the Nutrient-Rich Food Index 9.3 (NRF9.3), while physical activity was calculated based on the duration of activity performed at each level of intensity (sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous). Body mass index was calculated from the measured height and weight. Statistical analyses involved latent class growth models (LCGM) and random-effect panel data analysis.

Results

During a mean follow-up period of 6.8 years, NRF9.3 scores were assessed, on average, 5.4 times in men and 6.1 times in women. Based on the NRF9.3 score, three separate trajectory groups—“low-increasing,” “medium-increasing,” and “high-stable”—among individuals aged 26–90 years were identified using LCGM. In the multivariate analysis, the NRF9.3 score trajectory was positively associated with intake of energy, protein, dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, magnesium, and food items, such as fruits and vegetables, and was negatively associated with BMI and the intake of added sugar, saturated fats, sodium, and food items, such as meat and sugar and confectioneries, even after adjusting for covariates. These relationships displayed heterogeneity across the identified NRF9.3 score trajectory groups. In the low-increasing group, an inverse relationship was observed between sedentary behavior and NRF9.3 score trajectory.

Conclusions

We identified modifiable factors associated with temporal changes in diet quality across a wide age range; however, these factors may vary according to the diet quality trajectories. Our findings may help develop effective strategies for improving diet quality, according to the trajectory of diet quality.

Associations of a healthy lifestyle score from childhood to adulthood with subclinical kidney damage in midlife: a population-based cohort study

Background

The relationships of healthy lifestyle scores (HLS) of various kinds in adulthood with the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been reported, but little is known about the association of childhood lifestyle with later life CKD. This study examined the relationship of HLS from childhood to adulthood with subclinical kidney damage (SKD) in midlife, a surrogate measure for CKD.

Methods

Data were collected in an Australian population-based cohort study with 33 years follow-up. 750 participants with lifestyle information collected in childhood (ages 10–15 years) and midlife (ages 40–50 years), and measures of kidney function in midlife were included. The HLS was generated from the sum scores of five lifestyle factors (body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and diet). Each factor was scored as poor (0 point), intermediate (1 point), or ideal (2 points). Log-binomial regression was used to investigate the relationship of HLS in childhood and from childhood to adulthood with SKD defined as either 1) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 30–60 mL/min/1.73m² or 2) eGFR> 60 mL/min/1.73m² with urine albumin-creatinine ratio ≥ 2.5 mg/mmol (males) or 3.5 mg/mmol (females), adjusting for socio-demographic factors and the duration of follow-up.

Results

The average HLS was 6.6 in childhood and 6.5 in midlife, and the prevalence of SKD was 4.9% (n = 36). Neither HLS in childhood nor HLS from childhood to adulthood were significantly associated with the risk of SKD in midlife.

Conclusions

A HLS from childhood to adulthood did not predict SKD in this middle-aged, population-based Australian cohort.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12882-021-02627-0.

Associations of Serum Uromodulin and Its Genetic Variants With Blood Pressure and Hypertension in Chinese Adults

Background: Uromodulin, also named Tamm Horsfall protein, has been associated with renal function and regulation of sodium homeostasis. We aimed to examine the associations of serum uromodulin levels and its genetic variants with longitudinal blood pressure (BP) changes and hypertension incidence/risk. Methods: A total of 514 participants from the original Baoji Salt-Sensitive Study cohort were genotyped to examine the associations of genetic variations in uromodulin gene with the longitudinal BP changes and the incidence of hypertension over 8 years of follow-up. In addition, 2,210 subjects from the cohort of Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study were used to investigate the relationships between serum uromodulin levels and the risk of hypertension. Results: SNPs rs12917707 and rs12708631 in the uromodulin gene were significantly associated with the longitudinal BP changes over 8 years of follow-up. SNP rs12708631 was significantly associated with the incidence of hypertension over 8 years. In addition, gene-based analyses supported the associations of uromodulin gene with the longitudinal BP changes and hypertension incidence in Baoji Salt-Sensitive Study cohort. Furthermore, serum uromodulin levels in the hypertensive subjects were lower than in the normotensive subjects (25.5 ± 1.1 vs. 34.7 ± 0.7 ng/mL). Serum uromodulin levels decreased gradually as BP levels increased (34.6, 33.2, 27.8, and 25.0 ng/mL for subjects with normotension, high-normal, grade 1 hypertension, and grade 2 hypertension, respectively). Serum uromodulin was significantly associated with the lower risk of hypertension [0.978 (0.972-0.984)] in Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study cohort. Conclusion: This study shows that uromodulin is associated with blood pressure progression and development of hypertension.

Association of pulsatile stress in childhood with subclinical renal damage in adults: A 30-year prospective cohort study

The pulsatile stress in the microcirculation may contribute to development or progression of chronic kidney disease. However, there is no prospective data confirming whether pulsatile stress in early life affect renal function in middle age. The authors performed a longitudinal analysis of 1738 participants aged 6–15 years at baseline, an ongoing Adolescent Prospective Cohort with a follow‐up of 30 years. The authors evaluated the association between pulsatile stress in childhood and adult subclinical renal damage (SRD), adjusting for related covariates. Pulsatile stress was calculated as resting heart rate × pulse pressure. Renal function was assessed with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (uACR). The results showed that pulsatile stress in childhood was associated with adult SRD (Relative Risk, 1.43; p = .032), and the predictive value of combined pulse pressure and heart rate for SRD was higher than either of them alone. The high pulsatile stress in childhood increased the risk of adult SRD in males (RR, 1.92; p = .003), but this association was not found in females (RR, 0.91; p = .729). Further, the participants were categorized into four groups on the basis of pulsatile stress status in childhood and adulthood. Male patients with high pulsatile stress during childhood but normal pulsatile stress as adults still had an increased risk of SRD (RR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.18–3.54), while female patients did not (RR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.46–1.99). The study demonstrated that high pulsatile stress in childhood significantly increased the risk of adult SRD, especially in males. Adequate control of pulse pressure and heart rate from childhood, in the long‐term, is very important for preventing kidney damage.

Trajectories of Systolic Blood Pressure in Children: Risk Factors and Cardiometabolic Correlates

OBJECTIVE

To identify systolic blood pressure (SBP) percentile trajectories in children and to describe the early-life risk factors and cardiometabolic correlates of those trajectories.

STUDY DESIGN

Using age-, sex-, and height-specific SBP percentiles based on the American Academy of Pediatrics reference, we examined SBP trajectories using latent class mixed models from ages 3 to 8 years (n = 844) from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes-study, a Singaporean mother-offspring cohort study. We analyzed associations between SBP trajectories and early-life risk factors using multinomial logistic regression and differences across trajectories in cardiometabolic outcomes using multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

Children were classified into 1 of 4 SBP percentile trajectories: "low increasing" (15%), "high stable" (47%), "high decreasing" (20%), and "low stable" (18%). Maternal hypertension during early pregnancy was a predictor of the "high stable" and "low increasing" SBP trajectories. Rapid child weight gain in the first 2 years of life was only associated with the "high stable" trajectory. Compared with children in the "low stable" trajectory, children in the "high stable" SBP trajectory had greater body mass index z scores, sum of skinfold thicknesses, waist circumference from ages 3 to 8 years, and abdominal adipose tissue (milliliters) at 4.5 years (adjusted mean difference [95% CI]: superficial and deep subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue: 115.2 [48.1-182.3] and 85.5 [35.2-135.8]). Their fat mass (kilograms) (1.3 [0.6-2.0]), triglyceride levels (mmol/L) (0.10 [0.02-0.18]), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (0.28 [0.11 0.46]) at age 6 years were also greater but not their arterial thickness and stiffness.

CONCLUSIONS

Reducing maternal blood pressure during pregnancy and infant weight gain in the first 2 years of life might help to prevent the development of high SBP.

Associations of plasma uromodulin and genetic variants with blood pressure responses to dietary salt interventions

Uromodulin, also named Tamm Horsfall protein, have been associated with renal function and sodium homeostasis regulation. The authors sought to examine the effects of salt intake on plasma and urinary uromodulin levels and the association of its genetic variants with salt sensitivity in Chinese adults. Eighty patients from our natural population cohort were maintained sequentially either on a usual diet for 3 days, a low-salt diet (3.0 g) for 7 days, and a high-salt diet (18.0 g) for an additional 7 days. In addition, the authors studied 514 patients of the Baoji Salt-Sensitive Study, recruited from 124 families who received the same salt intake intervention, and investigated the association of genetic variations in uromodulin gene with salt sensitivity. Plasma uromodulin levels were significantly lower on a high-salt diet than on a baseline diet (28.3 ± 4.5 vs. 54.9 ± 8.8 ng/ml). Daily urinary excretions of uromodulin were significantly decreased on a high-salt diet than on a low-salt diet (28.7 ± 6.7 vs. 157.2 ± 21.7 ng/ml). SNPs rs7193058 and rs4997081 were associated with the diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) responses to the high-salt diet. In addition, several SNPs in the uromodulin gene were significantly associated with pulse pressure (PP) response to the low-salt intervention. This study shows that dietary salt intake affects plasma and urinary uromodulin levels and that uromodulin may play a role in the pathophysiological process of salt sensitivity in the Chinese populations.

Predicting prognosis in patients with stroke treated with intravenous alteplase through the 24-h trajectory of blood pressure changes

Blood pressure (BP) monitored within 24 h from the beginning of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with alteplase, is one of the important factors affecting the prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This study aimed to explore longitudinal BP trajectory patterns and determine their association with stroke prognosis after thrombolysis. From November 2018 to September 2019, a total of 391 patients were enrolled consecutively during the study period, and 353 patients were ultimately analyzed. Five systolic (SBP) and four diastolic blood pressure (DBP) trajectory subgroups were identified. The regression analysis showed that when compared with the rapidly moderate stable group, the continuous fluctuation‐very high level SBP group (odds ratio [OR]: 2.743, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.008–7.467) was associated with early neurological deterioration (END). Both the rapid drop‐high level SBP (OR: 0.448, 95% CI: 0.219–0.919) and DBP groups (OR: 0.399, 95% CI: 0.219–0.727) were associated with early neurological improvement (ENI). Moreover, there was a U‐shaped correlation between the OR value of SBP trajectory group and favorable outcome (the modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0–2) at 3 months: the slow drop‐low level SBP group represent a well‐established unfavorable outcome risk factor (OR:5.239, 95% CI: 1.271–21.595), and extremely high SBP—the continuous fluctuation‐very high level SBP group, are equally associated with elevated unfavorable outcome risk (OR:3.797, 95% CI: 1.486–9.697). The continuous fluctuation‐very high level DBP group was statistically significant in mRS (OR: 3.387, CI: 1.185–9.683). The BP trajectory groups show varying clinical features and risk of neurological dysfunction. The findings may help identify potential candidates for clinical BP monitoring, control, and specialized care.

Long Term Prognostic Impact of Sex-specific Longitudinal Changes in Blood Pressure. The EPIC-Norfolk Prospective Population Cohort Study

AIMS

We aimed to determine the sex differences in longitudinal systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) trajectories in mid-life and delineate the associations between these and mortality (all-cause, cardiovascular, and non-cardiovascular) and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in old age.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Participants were selected from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer, Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk) cohort study. Sex-specific trajectories were determined using group-based trajectory models using three clinic BP measurements acquired between 1993 and 2012 (mean exposure ∼12.9 years). Multivariable Cox regressions determined the associations between trajectories and incident outcomes over the follow-up (median follow-up 9.4 years). A total of 2897 men (M) and 3819 women (F) were included. At baseline, women were younger (F-55.5, M-57.1), had a worse cardiometabolic profile and were less likely to receive primary CVD prevention including antihypertensive treatment (F-36.0%, M-42.0%). Over the exposure period, women had lower SBP trajectories while men exhibited more pronounced SBP decreases over this period. Over the follow-up period, women had lower mortality (F-11.9%, M-20.5%) and CVD incidence (F-19.8%, M-29.6%). Compared to optimal SBP (≤120 mmHg) and DBP (≤70 mmHg) trajectories, hypertensive trajectories were associated with increased mortality and incident CVD in both men and women during follow-up at univariable level. These associations were nevertheless not maintained upon extensive confounder adjustment including antihypertensive therapies.

CONCLUSION

We report sex disparities in CVD prevention which may relate to worse cardiometabolic profiles and less pronounced longitudinal SBP decreases in women. Effective anti-hypertensivetherapy may offset the adverse outcomes associated with prolonged exposure to high blood pressure.

BMI Trajectories from Childhood to Midlife are Associated with Subclinical Kidney Damage in Midlife

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the relationship of BMI trajectories from childhood with subclinical kidney damage (SKD) in midlife, a surrogate measure for chronic kidney disease.

METHODS

The study followed up 1,442 participants from the 1985 Australian Schools Health and Fitness Survey who were between 7 and 15 years old at the time the survey was conducted and who had BMI measurements in childhood and at least two follow-ups in adulthood. Measures of kidney function for participants 36 to 50 years old were also included. Latent class growth mixture modeling was used to identify the BMI trajectories. Log-binomial regression determined the associations of BMI trajectories with SKD defined as either 1) an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 30 to 60 mL/min/1.73 m² or 2) an eGFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m² with a urine albumin-creatinine ratio ≥ 2.5 mg/mmol (males) or 3.5 mg/mmol (females), adjusting for childhood age, sex, and duration of follow-up.

RESULTS

Relative to the persistently low trajectory (n = 534, 37.0%), being in higher BMI trajectories was associated with greater risk of SKD in midlife (relative risk [RR] = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.10-3.25 for progressing to moderate [n = 633, 43.9%]; RR = 1.91, 95% CI = 0.95-3.81 for progressing to moderate/high [n = 194, 13.5%]; RR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.03-7.99 for progressing to high/very high [n = 39, 2.7%]; and RR = 2.47, 95% CI = 0.77-7.94 for adult-onset high [n = 35, 2.4%]).

CONCLUSIONS

Participants with increasing BMI trajectories from childhood had an increased risk of SKD in midlife.

Association of urinary vanin-1 with kidney function decline in hypertensive patients

Previously, the authors reported the utility of urinary vanin‐1 as an early biomarker of kidney injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats and in humans. However, little is known about whether urinary vanin‐1 can be used to predict the clinical outcome. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive power of urinary vanin‐1 based on kidney function decline in hypertensive patients. The authors measured urinary vanin‐1 in 147 patients at the baseline and examined its association with the incidence of ≥20% decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Cox regression analysis. The mean age of the patients averaged 72.9 ± 8.2 years, and 39% were women. Median (interquartile range) urinary vanin‐1 was 0.33 (0–2.6) ng/mg Cr During a median follow‐up of 12 months, 14 patients showed kidney function decline. A higher urinary vanin‐1 level was associated with an increased risk of kidney function decline (hazard ratio, 9.87; 95% CI, 1.11–87.5) (p = .04) in the fully adjusted model. In conclusion, urinary vanin‐1 is an independent risk factor for kidney function decline in hypertensive patients and it could be useful in clinical settings. The underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms warrant additional investigation.

BP in Young Adults with CKD and Associations with Cardiovascular Events and Decline in Kidney Function

BACKGROUND

BP is an important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular events and CKD progression in middle-aged or older adults with CKD. However, studies describing the relationship between BP with outcomes in young adults with CKD are limited.

METHODS

In an observational study, we focused on 317 young adults (aged 21-40 years) with mild to moderate CKD enrolled in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study. Exposures included baseline systolic BP evaluated continuously (per 10 mm Hg increase) and in categories (<120, 120-129, and ≥130 mm Hg). Primary outcomes included cardiovascular events (heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, or all-cause death) and CKD progression (50% decline of eGFR or ESKD). We used Cox proportional hazard models to test associations between baseline systolic BP with cardiovascular events and CKD progression.

RESULTS

Cardiovascular events occurred in 52 participants and 161 had CKD progression during median follow-up times of 11.3 years and 4.1 years, respectively. Among those with baseline systolic BP ≥130 mm Hg, 3%/yr developed heart failure, 20%/yr had CKD progression, and 2%/yr died. In fully adjusted models, baseline systolic BP ≥130 mm Hg (versus systolic BP<120 mm Hg) was significantly associated with cardiovascular events or death (hazard ratio [HR], 2.13; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.05 to 4.32) and CKD progression (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.58).

CONCLUSIONS

Among young adults with CKD, higher systolic BP is significantly associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular events and CKD progression. Trials of BP management are needed to test targets and treatment strategies specifically in young adults with CKD.

Blood pressure and long-term subclinical cardiovascular outcomes in low-risk young adults: Insights from Hanzhong adolescent hypertension cohort

Stage 1 hypertension, newly defined by the 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) hypertension guideline, has been the subject of significant interest globally. This study aims to assess the impact of the new blood pressure (BP) stratum on subsequent subclinical cardiovascular outcomes in low-risk young adults. This longitudinal study consisted of 1020 young adults (47.7% female; ages 18-23 years) free of cardiovascular disease from the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Cohort with up to 25-year follow-up since 1992-1995. Outcomes were available through June 2017. Young adults with stage 1 hypertension accounted for 23.7% of the cohort. When it comes to middle adulthood, subjects with early life stage 1 hypertension were more likely to experience BP progression, and they had a 1.61-fold increased risk of high-risk brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and a 2.92-fold risk of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) comparing with their normotensive counterparts. Among participants without any active treatment in midlife, the risk associated with stage 1 hypertension for BP progression was 2.25 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.41-3.59), high-risk baPWV was 1.58 (95% CI = 1.09-2.79), LVH was 2.75 (95% CI = 1.16-6.48), and subclinical renal damage (SRD) was 1.69 (95% CI = 1.02-2.82) compared with the normal BP group. Overall, young adults with stage 1 hypertension had significantly higher risks for midlife subclinical cardiovascular outcomes than normotensive subjects. BP management targeting low-risk young adults is of importance from both clinical and public health perspectives.

Dose-response relationship between distinct serum uric acid trajectories and metabolic syndrome risk: A 5-year prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Although high serum uric acid (SUA) at baseline has been linked to increased risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS), the association of longitudinal SUA changes with MetS risk is unclear. We aimed to examine the effect of distinct SUA trajectories on new-onset MetS risk by sex in a Chinese cohort.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 2364 women and 2770 men who were free of MetS in 2013 were enrolled in this study and followed up to 2018. Group-based trajectory modeling was applied to identify SUA trajectories. Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the association between SUA trajectory and new-onset MetS. The dose-response relationship between SUA trajectories and MetS risk was examined by treating trajectory groups as a continuous variable. During a median follow-up of 48.0 months, 311 (13.16%) women and 950 (34.30%) men developed MetS. SUA trajectories (2013-2018) were defined as four distinct patterns in both women and men: "low", "moderate", "moderate-high", and "high". Compared with "low" SUA trajectory, the adjusted hazard ratio for incident MetS among participants with "moderate", "moderate-high" and "high" trajectory was in a dose-response manner: 1.75 (95% CI: 1.08-2.82), 1.94 (95% CI: 1.20-3.14), and 3.05 (95% CI: 1.81-5.13), respectively, for women; 1.20 (95% CI: 0.97-1.49), 1.48 (95% CI: 1.19-1.85), and 1.66 (95% CI: 1.25-2.21), respectively, for men.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated SUA trajectories are associated with increased risk for new-onset MetS in women and men. Monitoring SUA trajectories may assist in identifying subpopulations at higher risk for MetS.

Blood Pressure Trajectories Across the Life Course

High blood pressure (BP) is a strong modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Longitudinal BP patterns themselves may reflect the burden of risk and vascular damage due to prolonged cumulative exposure to high BP levels. Current studies have begun to characterize BP patterns as a trajectory over an individual's lifetime. These BP trajectories take into account the absolute BP levels as well as the slope of BP changes throughout the lifetime thus incorporating longitudinal BP patterns into a single metric. Methodologic issues that need to be considered when examining BP trajectories include individual-level vs. population-level group-based modeling, use of distinct but complementary BP metrics (systolic, diastolic, mean arterial, mid, and pulse pressure), and potential for measurement errors related to varied settings, devices, and number of readings utilized. There appear to be very specific developmental periods during which divergent BP trajectories may emerge, specifically adolescence, the pregnancy period, and older adulthood. Lifetime BP trajectories are impacted by both individual-level and community-level factors and have been associated with incident hypertension, multimorbidity (CVD, renal disease, cognitive impairment), and overall life expectancy. Key unanswered questions remain around the additive predictive value of BP trajectories, intergenerational contributions to BP patterns (in utero BP exposure), and potential genetic drivers of BP patterns. The next phase in understanding BP trajectories needs to focus on how best to incorporate this knowledge into clinical care to reduce the burden of hypertensive-related outcomes and improve health equity.

Risk factors for electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy in a young Chinese general population: the Hanzhong adolescent cohort study

Background

Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) is a common manifestation of preclinical cardiovascular disease. The present study aimed to investigate risk factors for ECG-LVH and its prevalence in a cohort of young Chinese individuals.

Methods

(1) A total of 1515 participants aged 36–45 years old from our previously established cohort who were followed up in 2017 were included. Cross-sectional analysis was used to examine risk factors for ECG-LVH and its prevalence. (2) A total of 235 participants were recruited from the same cohort in 2013 and were followed up in 2017. Longitudinal analysis was used to determine the predictors of LVH occurrence over the 4-year period. We used multivariable logistic regression models to calculate OR and 95% CIs and to analyze risk factors for ECG-LVH.

Results

In the cross-sectional analysis, the prevalence of LVH diagnosed by the Cornell voltage-duration product in the overall population and the hypertensive population was 4.6% and 8.8%, respectively. The logistic regression results shown that female sex [2.611 (1.591–4.583)], hypertension [2.638 (1.449–4.803)], systolic blood pressure (SBP) [1.021 (1.007–1.035)], serum uric acid (SUA) [1.004 (1.001–1.006)] and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) [67.670 (13.352–342.976)] were significantly associated with the risk of LVH (all P < 0.05). In the longitudinal analysis, fasting glucose [1.377 (1.087–1.754)], SBP [1.046 (1.013–1.080)] and female sex [1.242 (1.069–1.853)] were independent predictors for the occurrence of LVH in the fourth year of follow-up.

Conclusions

Our study suggested that female sex, hypertension, SBP, SUA and CIMT were significantly associated with the risk of LVH in young people. In addition, fasting glucose, SBP and female sex are independent predictors of the occurrence of LVH in a young Chinese general population.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-021-01966-y.

Long-Term Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Patients With In-Stent Chronic Total Occlusion Versus De Novo Chronic Total Occlusion

Limited data are available on long-term outcomes and health status in the treatment of in-stent coronary chronic total occlusion (IS-CTO) and de novo coronary chronic total occlusion (de novo CTO). This study compared the long-term clinical outcomes and health status of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with IS-CTO versus patients with de novo CTO in the drug-eluting stent era. We screened 483 consecutive patients with 1 CTO lesion, including 81 patients with IS-CTO and 402 patients with de novo CTO. Propensity score matching was used to balance baseline characteristics between the 2 groups. The clinical end point was major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The success rates of CTO lesion revascularization were similar in both groups. In the propensity score-matched patients, after a median follow-up of 36 months, MACE was observed in 32.8% of patients with IS-CTO versus 13.5% of the patients with de novo CTO (P < .001), mainly driven by target-vessel revascularization (21.9% vs 6.7%; P < .01). Moreover, patients with IS-CTO had significantly worse Seattle Angina Questionnaire anginal stability scores than the patients with de novo CTO. In conclusion, patients with IS-CTO after PCI had a worse clinical outcome, mainly MACE, and a poorer anginal stability in the long term than patients with de novo CTO.

Age-stratified association of blood pressure with albuminuria and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE

We investigated associations of blood pressure (BP) with albuminuria and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in young, middle and older aged patients with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Study participants were treated patients with hypertension or diabetes, enrolled in a China nationwide registry. The 2510 patients were classified into young (<45 years, n = 345), middle (45-64 years, n = 1383) and older (≥65 years, n = 782) age groups. Clinic BP was measured three times consecutively on each of the two clinic visits. These six readings were averaged for analyses. Albuminuria was defined as a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio of ≥30 mg/g. LVH was assessed by the electrocardiogram (ECG) Cornell product and voltage methods.

RESULTS

The prevalence of albuminuria and ECG-LVH was 17.8 and 6.5%, respectively. Mean (±SD) systolic/diastolic BP was 132.0 ± 16.5/85.2 ± 11.9 mmHg, 136.8 ± 17.9/81.7 ± 11.2 mmHg, and 139.8 ± 16.7/75.8 ± 10.4 mmHg in the young, middle and older age groups. In the young age group, the prevalence of albuminuria increased from 8.8% in systolic/diastolic BP <120/80 mmHg to 14.6, 16.0% and 16.5% in 120-129/80-84, 130-139/85-89 and ≥140/90 mmHg, respectively. The corresponding values were 8.9, 7.0, 18.1 and 22.2%, respectively, in the middle age group, and 21.2, 15.5, 16.4 and 24.4%, respectively, in the older age group. Adjusted analyses confirmed the J-shaped relation between BP and albuminuria in the older but not young age group. The prevalence of ECG-LVH was significantly (p for trend ≤0.04) higher with increasing BP similarly in all age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The association between BP and organ damage seems to differ in young, middle and older aged patients for albuminuria but not ECG-LVH.

Child-to-adult body mass index trajectories and the risk of subclinical renal damage in middle age

BACKGROUND

Although it is well established that obesity is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease, the impact of distinct long-term body mass index (BMI) developmental patterns on renal function in later life is poorly understood.

METHODS

This study utilized data derived from the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Cohort, a prospective cohort followed over 30 years. We used latent class growth mixture modeling method to identify the BMI trajectories of participants who had received BMI measurements at least three times from childhood (age: 6-15 years) to adulthood (age: 36-45 years). The modified Poisson regression model was used to identify potential associations between BMI trajectories and subclinical renal damage (SRD) in midlife.

RESULTS

Within a total of 2162 individuals, we identified four distinct long-term BMI trajectories: stable normal (54.72%), moderately increasing overweight (32.42%), resolving (10.27%), and progressively increasing obese (2.59%). By the latest follow-up in 2017, a total of 257 (13.1%) individuals were diagnosed with SRD. Compared with the stable normal group, the moderately increasing overweight group and the progressively increasing obese group exhibited significantly a higher urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and a higher odd of existing SRD in 2017 (risk ratio [RR], 1.70 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.33-2.19] and 4.35 [95% CI, 3.00-6.30], respectively). However, individuals who resolved their elevated BMI in early life had a similar risk for SRD as those who had never been obese or overweight (RR, 1.17 [95% CI, 0.77-1.79]).

CONCLUSIONS

Child-to-adult BMI trajectories that worsen or persist at high levels were associated with an increased risk for SRD in midlife. Maintaining a normal BMI or reversing an elevated BMI in early life may be beneficial to renal function over the long term.

Long-term burden of higher body mass index from childhood on adult cardiometabolic biomarkers: A 30-year cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Data are limited regarding the association between long-term burden of higher body mass index (BMI) from childhood and cardiometabolic biomarkers.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 1553 individuals aged 6-15 years, who were examined 4 or more times for BMI since childhood and followed for 30 years were included in our analysis. Total area under the curve (AUCt) and incremental AUC (AUCi) were calculated as the long-term burden and trends of BMI. Cardiometabolic biomarkers including serum uric acid (SUA), fasting blood-glucose (FBG), and triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) were obtained from venous blood samples. The results showed a positive association of BMI AUCt and AUCi with cardiometabolic biomarkers. After adjusting for demographic variables, the AUCt and AUCi of BMI were significantly associated with a higher level of SUA (β = 3.71; 2.87), FBG (β = 0.09; 0.09), and TG/HDL-C (β = 0.14; 0.11). We performed further studies after dividing subjects into four groups according to AUCt and AUCi of BMI by quartiles. Compared with the lowest quartile group, the highest quartile group had significantly increased risk ratios of hyperuricemia (RR = 2.01; 1.74), type 2 diabetes mellitus (RR = 8.18; 3.96), and high-risk TG/HDL-C (RR = 4.05; 3.26).

CONCLUSION

Our study identifies all subjects' BMI growth curve from childhood and indicates that the long-term burden of higher BMI significantly increases the cardiometabolic risk, and the impact of excessive body weight on cardiometabolic health originates in early life. We emphasize the importance of weight control from childhood for cardiometabolic health.

Predictive Role of Child-To-Adult Blood Pressure Trajectories for Incident Metabolic Syndrome: 30-Year Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study

OBJECTIVE

The relationship between child-to-adult blood pressure (BP) trajectories and metabolic syndrome (MetS) is unknown. We aimed to determine the predictive role of BP trajectories for incident MetS and its components.

METHODS

The prospective Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension study began in 1987 and included 2692 participants free of MetS at baseline with at least 3 BP measurements available from 1987 to 2017.

RESULTS

The systolic BP (SBP) trajectory patterns were grouped as normal (class 1, 18.7%), high normal (class 2, 60.3%), prehypertensive (class 3, 13.1%), stage 1 hypertensive (class 4, 5.7%), and stage 2 hypertensive (class 5, 2.2%). Compared with those in the normal group, individuals in classes 2 to 5 had significantly higher risks of MetS (all Ps < .05), and those with hypertension had more than an 8-fold higher risk of MetS (both P < .05). The fully adjusted risk ratios (RRs) of central obesity increased significantly in a stepwise manner as the SBP trajectory group increased from class 1 to class 5 (P < .05). Compared with those with a normal SBP trajectory, participants in the prehypertensive group and stage 1 and stage 2 hypertensive groups had significantly higher RRs for high-risk triglycerides after full adjustment (RR = 1.89 [1.22-2.94]; RR = 3.61 [2.16-6.02]; and RR = 3.22 [1.52-6.84], respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that BP trajectories are predictive of incident MetS outcomes. Early detection of hypertension or modest elevations in BP is crucial. The stage of hypertension based on SBP level showed a greater association with central obesity.

Risk factors for subclinical renal damage and its progression: Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem, including in China. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for the development and progression of subclinical renal disease (SRD) in a Chinese population. We also examined whether the impact of the risk factors on SRD changed over time.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

To identify the predictors of SRD, we performed a cross-sectional study of the 2432 subjects in our Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Cohort. A subgroup of 202 subjects was further analyzed over a 12-year period from 2005 to 2017 to determine the risk factors for the development and progression of SRD.

RESULTS

In cross-sectional analysis, elevated blood pressure, male gender, diabetes, body mass index, and triglyceride were independently associated with a higher risk of SRD. In longitudinal analysis, an increase in total cholesterol over a 4-year period and an increase in serum triglyceride over a 12-year period were independently associated with progression of albuminuria. Finally, increases in both total cholesterol and serum uric acid over a 4-year follow-up showed an independent association with a modest reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study of a Chinese cohort, we show several metabolic abnormalities as independent risk factors for subclinical renal disease in a Chinese cohort. In addition, we demonstrate that the effects of total cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid on the development and progression of albuminuria or the decline in eGFR vary at different points of follow-up. These findings highlight the importance of early detection of metabolic abnormalities to prevent SRD.

Association between high blood pressure and long term cardiovascular events in young adults: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and quantify the future risk of cardiovascular events in young adults with high blood pressure.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception to 6 March 2020. Relative risks were pooled using a random effects model and expressed with 95% confidence intervals. Absolute risk difference was calculated. Dose-response relations between blood pressure and individual outcomes were assessed by a restricted cubic spline model.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

Studies were selected that investigated the adverse outcomes of adults aged 18-45 with raised blood pressure. The primary study outcome was a composite of total cardiovascular events. Coronary heart disease, stroke, and all cause mortality were examined as secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Seventeen observational cohorts consisting of approximately 4.5 million young adults were included in the analysis. The average follow-up was 14.7 years. Young adults with normal blood pressure had increased risk of cardiovascular events compared with those with optimal blood pressure (relative risk 1.19, 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 1.31; risk difference 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.16 to 0.61 per 1000 person years). A graded, progressive association was found between blood pressure categories and increased risk of cardiovascular events (high normal blood pressure: relative risk 1.35, 95% confidence interval 1.22 to 1.49; risk difference 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.43 to 0.97 per 1000 person years; grade 1 hypertension: 1.92, 1.68 to 2.19; 1.81, 1.34 to 2.34; grade 2 hypertension: 3.15, 2.31 to 4.29; 4.24, 2.58 to 6.48). Similar results were observed for coronary heart disease and stroke. Generally, the population attributable fraction for cardiovascular events associated with raised blood pressure was 23.8% (95% confidence interval 17.9% to 28.8%). The number needed to treat for one year to prevent one cardiovascular event was estimated at 2672 (95% confidence interval 1639 to 6250) for participants with normal blood pressure, 1450 (1031 to 2326) for those with high normal blood pressure, 552 (427 to 746) for those with grade 1 hypertension, and 236 (154 to 388) for those with grade 2 hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

Young adults with raised blood pressure might have a slightly increased risk of cardiovascular events in later life. Because the evidence for blood pressure lowering is limited, active interventions should be cautious and warrant further investigation.

Association of Longitudinal Trajectories of Systolic BP with Risk of Incident CKD: Results from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study

BACKGROUND

Although hypertension is a well known risk factor for CKD, few studies have evaluated the association between temporal trends of systolic BP and kidney function decline in persons without hypertension.

METHODS

We studied whether changes in systolic BP over time could influence incident CKD development in 4643 individuals without CKD and hypertension participating in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study, a prospective community-based cohort study. Using group-based trajectory modeling, we categorized three distinct systolic BP trajectories: decreasing, stable, and increasing. The primary outcome was incident CKD development, defined as two consecutive eGFR measurements <60 ml/min per 1.73 m².

RESULTS

Among participants with an increasing systolic BP trajectory, systolic BP increased from 105 to 124 mm Hg. During 31,936 person-years of follow-up (median 7.7 years), 339 participants developed incident CKD. CKD incidence rates were 8.9, 9.6, and 17.8 cases per 1000 person-years in participants with decreasing, stable, and increasing systolic BP trajectories, respectively. In multivariable cause-specific Cox analysis, after adjustment of baseline eGFR, systolic BP, and other confounders, increasing systolic BP trajectory associated with a 1.57-fold higher risk of incident CKD (95% confidence interval, 1.20 to 2.06) compared with a stable trajectory. There was a significant effect modification of baseline systolic BP on the association between systolic BP trajectories and CKD risk (P value for interaction =0.02), and this association was particularly evident in participants with baseline systolic BP <120 mm Hg. In addition, increasing systolic BP trajectory versus a stable trajectory was associated with higher risk of new development of albuminuria.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing systolic BP over time without reaching the hypertension threshold is associated with a significantly increased risk of incident CKD in healthy adults.

Association of Uric Acid in Serum and Urine with Arterial Stiffness: Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study

Background

Hyperuricemia has long been associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and arterial stiffness is proposed as a mediator. The present study is aimed at examining the associations of uric acid (UA) in blood and urine with arterial stiffness in a Chinese cohort.

Methods

A total of 2296 participants (mean age: 43.0 years) from our previously established cohort of Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study were included. The participants were classified as subjects with or without arterial stiffness, which was defined as brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) ≥ 1400 cm/s and/or carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) ≥ 0.9 mm. Multivariate regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between serum and urinary UA and the risk of arterial stiffness after adjusting for age, gender, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, BMI, heart rate, total cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Results

baPWV was positively correlated with urinary uric acid/creatinine ratio (uUA/Cre) (β = 0.061, P < 0.001), while CIMT was correlated with uUA/Cre (β = 0.085, P < 0.001) and fractional excretion of uric acid (FEUA) (β = 0.044, P = 0.033) in all subjects. In addition, uUA/Cre was significantly associated with the risk of high baPWV [1.032 (1.019-1.045)] and arterial stiffness [1.028 (1.016-1.040)].

Conclusion

Our study showed that urinary UA excretion was significantly associated with the risk of arterial stiffness in Chinese adults. These findings suggest that UA, especially urinary UA, may be used as a simple, noninvasive marker for early detection of arterial stiffness in otherwise healthy subjects.

Effect of metabolically healthy obesity on the development of arterial stiffness: a prospective cohort study

Background

Metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) has been reported to be associated with the development of vascular damage by the carotid intima-media thickness, but the relationship between metabolic health and obesity phenotypes and arterial stiffness is still unknown. Our hypothesized that different metabolic health and obesity phenotypes might be associated with the development of arterial stiffness, and that subjects in MHO phenotype might not have increased risks of arterial stiffness compared with those in metabolically healthy nonobesity phenotype (MHNO), while metabolic unhealthy individuals might have increased risks of arterial stiffness.

Methods

A prospective cohort of 2076 participants (aged 36-48 years) who were enrolled in the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Cohort Study in 2017 was analyzed in a cross-sectional analysis. A subgroup of 202 participants from 2005 to 2017 was selected by an isometric sampling method and was included in the final longitudinal analysis.

Results

We identified four metabolic health and obesity phenotypes for both the cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses as follows: MHNO, metabolically unhealthy nonobesity (MUNO), MHO, and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO). In the cross-sectional analysis, individuals with the MHO phenotype had the lowest brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) levels of the four phenotypes (P < 0.001), and participants with the MHO phenotype had a similar risk of arterial stiffness after fully adjustment [odds ratio (OR) = 0.99 (0.61-1.60)] as the MUNO subjects. Subjects with metabolically unhealthy status had a significantly higher risk of arterial stiffness than the MHNO individuals, particularly females (P < 0.005). In the longitudinal analysis, subjects with the MUNO and MUO phenotypes had a significantly higher risk of arterial stiffness than the MHNO individuals after adjustment for age and sex [OR = 5.21 (2.26-12.02), OR = 3.32 (1.18-9.32), respectively].

Conclusions

The MHO phenotype did not significantly increase the progression of arterial stiffness. Metabolically unhealthy individuals (MUNO, MUO), regardless of obesity status, showed a worse effect for the development of arterial stiffness, particularly females.

Trial registration

NCT02734472. Registered 12 April 2016 - Retrospectively registered, http:www.clinicaltrials.gov.