Lipid profiles and the risk of new-onset hypertension in a Chinese community-based cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dyslipidemia and hypertension, key risk factors for cardiovascular disease, may share similar pathophysiological processes. A longitudinal association was reported between dyslipidemia and new-onset hypertension, but few data were published in Asian. We aimed to investigate the association of lipid profiles with new-onset hypertension in a Chinese community-based non-hypertensive cohort without lipid-lowering treatment (n = 1802). METHODS AND RESULTS: New-onset hypertension was defined as any self-reported history of hypertension, systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, or receiving antihypertensive medications at follow-up. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations. Participants were aged 53.97 ± 7.49 years, 31.19% were men, and 64.54% with dyslipidemia. During a median of 2.30 years follow-up, the incidence of new-onset hypertension was 12.99%. Multivariate adjusted risks of new-onset hypertension increased with triglyceride increases (odds ratio [OR] = 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.27) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreases (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.29-0.76) for one unit. However, threshold effects were observed for total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-HDL-C. Compared with subjects with hyperlipidemia, in those with normal concentrations of TC, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C increased risks of new-onset hypertension were observed with OR (95% CI) of 1.65 (1.10-2.46), 1.58 (1.07-2.33), and 1.57 (1.15-2.15) for one unit increasement, respectively, after adjusting for all covariates. CONCLUSION: Higher TG and lower HDL-C increased the risk of new-onset hypertension, but for TC, LDL-C and non-HDLC, the risk of new-onset hypertension was increased only at normal concentrations in a Chinese community-based cohort.

[Association of influenza, influenza vaccination and cardiovascular risk].

Cardiovascular risk and related medical burden due to influenza in patients with chronic disease were higher than those of healthy subjects. As a result, influenza vaccination is recommended as a strategy for secondary prevention in cardiovascular disease by major cardiovascular organizations, but the prevalence of influenza vaccination in these population is still low. Whether influenza vaccine can prevent cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and death is still controversial based on current evidences from observational studies and case-control studies, which may result from study desion,subjects selection,outcome definition and sample size issues. Recent meta-analysis showed that influenza vaccination may reduce cardiovascular risk, but large-scale random controlled trials with adequately power should be conducted to confirm these findings as well as the target population for this strategy further.

Association of cardiovascular events with central systolic blood pressure: A systemic review and meta-analysis.

Central blood pressure confers cardiovascular risk prediction ability, but whether the association between central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) and cardiovascular endpoints is independent of peripheral systolic blood pressure (pSBP) remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to investigate the associations between cSBP and cardiovascular endpoints in models including and excluding pSBP, respectively. Observational studies assessing the risk of composite cardiovascular endpoints with baseline cSBP were searched in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to May 31, 2022. Risk of bias was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale, and random-effects models were used to pool estimates. Finally, 48 200 participants from 19 studies with a mean age of 59.0 ± 6.9 years were included. Per 10 mmHg increase of cSBP was associated with higher risk of composite cardiovascular outcomes (risk ratio [RR]: 1.14 [95%CI 1.08-1.19]) and cardiovascular death (RR: 1.18 [95%CI 1.08-1.30]), and the associations still existed after adjusting for pSBP (RR: 1.13 [95%CI 1.05-1.21] for composite cardiovascular endpoints; RR: 1.25 [95%CI 1.09-1.43] for cardiovascular death). In pSBP-unadjusted studies, increased cSBP was also associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality and stroke, but not in the pSBP-adjusted studies. Both cSBP and pSBP were similarly significantly associated with composite cardiovascular endpoints in models containing them separately and simultaneously. cSBP was significantly associated with cardiovascular events, independently of pSBP. Central or peripheral SBP could supplement cardiovascular risk assessment besides each other.

Deep Learning based Retinal Vessel Caliber Measurement and the Association with Hypertension.

PURPOSE: To develop a highly efficient and fully automated method that measures retinal vessel caliber using digital retinal photographs and evaluate the association between retinal vessel caliber and hypertension. METHODS: The subjects of this study were from two sources in Beijing, China, a hypertension case-control study from Tongren Hospital (Tongren study) and a community-based atherosclerosis cohort from Peking University First Hospital (Shougang study). Retinal vessel segmentation and arteriovenous classification were achieved simultaneously by a customized deep learning model. Two experienced ophthalmologists evaluated whether retinal vessels were correctly segmented and classified. The ratio of incorrectly segmented and classified retinal vessels was used to measure the accuracy of the model's recognition. Central retinal artery equivalents, central retinal vein equivalents and arteriolar-to-venular diameter ratio were computed to analyze the association between retinal vessel caliber and the risk of hypertension. The association was then compared to that derived from the widely used semi-automated software (Integrative Vessel Analysis). RESULTS: The deep learning model achieved an arterial recognition error rate of 1.26%, a vein recognition error rate of 0.79%, and a total error rate of 1.03%. Central retinal artery equivalents and arteriolar-to-venular diameter ratio measured by both Integrative Vessel Analysis and deep learning methods were inversely associated with the odds of hypertension in both Tongren and Shougang studies. The comparisons of areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves from the proposed deep learning method and Integrative Vessel Analysis were all not significantly different (p > .05). CONCLUSION: The proposed deep learning method showed a comparable diagnostic value to Integrative Vessel Analysis software. Compared with semi-automatic software, our deep learning model has significant advantage in efficiency and can be applied to population screening and risk evaluation.

Association between pulse wave velocity and the 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the Chinese population: A community-based study.

Accumulated evidence has shown that carotid-femoral and brachial-ankle PWV well predict cardiovascular events but it is still unclear if the predictability is same or not. In this cross-sectional study based on a community atherosclerosis cohort in Beijing, China, a total of 5282 participants without previous coronary heart disease and stroke were enrolled from a community atherosclerosis cohort in Beijing, China. The 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk were calculated by the China-PAR model, and < 5%, 5%-10% and > 10% were defined as low, intermediate, and high risk, respectively. The average baPWV and cfPWV values were 16.63 ± 3.35 m/s and 8.45 ± 1.78 m/s, respectively. The mean 10-year ASCVD risk was 6.98% (interquartile range: 3.90%-12.01%). The patients with low, intermediate, and high 10-year ASCVD risk accounted for 34.84% (1840), 31.94% (1687),, and 33.23% (1755) respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that for every 1 m/s increase in baPWV and cfPWV, the 10-year ASCVD risk increased by 0.60% (95% confidence interval: 0.56%-0.65%, p < .001) and 1.17% (95% confidence interval: 1.09%-1.25%, p < .001), respectively. The diagnostic ability of the baPWV was comparable to the cfPWV (area under the curve: 0.870 [0.860-0.879] vs. 0.871 [0.861-0.881], p = .497). In conclusion, baPWV and cfPWV are positively associated with the 10-year risk of ASCVD in the Chinese community-based population, with a nearly identical association with a high 10-year risk of ASCVD.

Comparison of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in association with albuminuria in a community of Beijing: a cross-sectional study.

This study was performed to investigate and compare the association of albuminuria with the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) in a community-based population in Beijing. Subjects were enrolled from a follow-up survey conducted in 2018 from an atherosclerosis cohort in Shijingshan district, Beijing, China. The baPWV and cfPWV were measured using a BP-203 RPE III arteriosclerosis detection device and PulsePen, respectively. Albuminuria was defined as a urinary albumin-creatinine ratio of ≥30 mg/g. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the impacts of different PWV measurements on the prevalence of albuminuria. In total, 5605 subjects were included in the analyses. Their mean age was 62.22 ± 7.55 years, and the prevalence of albuminuria was 8.22%. In the multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for potential covariates, both baPWV (odds ratio [OR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.10; P < 0.001) and cfPWV (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01-1.14; P = 0.018) were significantly associated with albuminuria. Furthermore, when baPWV and cfPWV were entered into the logistic regression model simultaneously, only baPWV was significantly associated with albuminuria using either continuous value (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.10; P = 0.007) or classified into quartiles (highest vs. lowest value group: OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.01-2.37; P for trend = 0.019). Both cfPWV and baPWV were positively associated with albuminuria, while baPWV had a stronger relationship than cfPWV. Thus, baPWV measurement could be considered for the purpose of community health screening.

Impaired fasting blood glucose is associated with incident albuminuria: Data from a Chinese community-based cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Growing evidence links hyperglycemia in the diabetic range to albuminuria, while the association between impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and albuminuria is not well established. The study intends to explore whether IFG is longitudinally associated with incident albuminuria in a non-diabetic Chinese community-based cohort. METHODS: Participants with urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) both in 2014 and 2018 from the atherosclerotic cohort were included. A total of 1649 non-diabetic subjects were ultimately included in the analysis after ruling out participants with UACR≥30 mg/g and self-reported history of renal diseases at baseline. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was assessed by Roche C8000 Automatic Analyzer and UACR was measured with Unicel DxC 800 Synchron biochemistry analyzer using spot morning urine sample. Incident albuminuria was defined as an advance from normal to microalbuminuria or macroalbuminuria. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to investigate the relationship between FBG and incident albuminuria. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 4.38 years, 82 (4.97%) participants developed incident albuminuria. Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjustment, the risk of incident albuminuria increased by 71% (OR = 1.71, 95%CI: 1.11-2.62, P = 0.014) for every 18 mg/dl (1 mmol/l) increase of FBG level. Besides, FBG level was independently and gradably associated with incident albuminuria. Compared with the FBG < 100 mg/dl (5.6 mmol/l) group, the risk increased 1.63-fold for incident albuminuria (OR = 2.63, 95%CI:1.42-4.87, P = 0.002) in the FBG 110-126 mg/dl (6.1-7.0 mmol/l) group while the association between FBG 100-110 mg/dl (5.6-6.1 mmol/l) group and the outcome was not significant. Subgroup and interaction analyses were performed and no significant modification effect was found. CONCLUSION: IFG was independently associated with incident albuminuria in Chinese community-based population. The higher the FBG level, the higher the risk of incident albuminuria, which may suggest that screening for albuminuria should be emphasized in population with IFG so as to prevent and treat it in an early stage.

Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity as a measurement for increased carotid intima-media thickness: A comparison with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in a Chinese community-based cohort.

Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) act as two most frequently applied indicators to evaluate arterial stiffness. Limited studies have systematically compared the relationships between cfPWV/baPWV and increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). This study aimed to investigate the associations of the two PWV indices with cIMT in a Chinese community-based population. A total of 6026 Chinese participants from an atherosclerosis cohort were included in our analysis. Increased cIMT was defined as the maximum of cIMT > 0.9 mm in end-systolic period of carotid artery. Mean (SD) cfPWV and baPWV were 8.55±1.83  and 16.79±3.35 m/s, respectively. The prevalence of increased cIMT was 59.58%. In multivariable logistic regression, both PWVs were independently associated with increased cIMT after adjustment for various confounders (for 1 m/s increase of cfPWV: OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02-1.11; for 1 m/s increase of baPWV: OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00-1.05). The highest cfPWV and baPWV quartile groups had higher prevalence of increased cIMT when compared with the lowest quartile groups (for cfPWV: OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.06-1.55; for baPWV: OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.00-1.50). However, when both PWVs were added into multivariable model simultaneously, only cfPWV was associated with odds of increased cIMT. Subgroup analyses further showed cfPWV was more strongly associated with increased cIMT than baPWV in males, participants aged ≥65 years, and those with other cardiovascular risk factors. In conclusion, both cfPWV and baPWV are associated with increased cIMT in a Chinese community-based population. Furthermore, cfPWV is more strongly correlated with increased cIMT compared to baPWV.

Association between remnant cholesterol and arterial stiffness in a Chinese community-based population: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: As a surrogate of arterial stiffness, the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a good predictor of incident cardiovascular disease. Remnant cholesterol (RC) is a proven independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between RC and baPWV is unknown. The present study was performed to explore this relationship. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting and participants: This study involved 8,028 participants of a community-based atherosclerosis cohort from China. Community residents aged ≥40 years were enrolled by responding to detailed research recruitment posters or by phone invitation. The participants comprised 2,938 (36.60%) men, and their mean age was 56.57 ± 9.04 years. Methods and results: The baPWV was measured with a standard protocol using the Omron Colin BP-203RPE III device (Omron Healthcare, Kyoto, Japan). RC was calculated as follows: RC = TC - LDL-C - HDL-C. The mean baPWV was 1,646.85 ± 374.11 cm/s. The median RC concentration was 0.56 (0.41-0.74) mmol/L. In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, the concentrations of RC, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) were all positively and independently associated with baPWV. The baPWV was higher in the fourth than first lipid profile quartile. The HDL-C concentration was inversely associated with baPWV. When RC was forced into the model with other lipid profile indices simultaneously, only the RC and TG concentrations remained significantly associated with baPWV. Conclusion: Lipids are independently associated with baPWV. The RC and TG concentrations have stronger associations with arterial stiffness than other lipid indices in the Chinese community-based population.

Association of remnant cholesterol and lipid parameters with new-onset carotid plaque in Chinese population.

Background: Remnant lipoprotein cholesterol (RC) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the relationships of remnant cholesterol and other conventional lipid parameters with new-onset carotid plaque are not fully understood in the Chinese community-based population. Materials and methods: A total of 872 plaque-free participants (51.39 ± 4.96 years old) with no history of CVD were included in this study. The plasma concentrations of RC were calculated by subtracting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) from total cholesterol (TC). Multivariate regression models were used to evaluate and compare the associations between RC and other lipid parameters and new-onset carotid plaque. Results: After a mean 6.77-year follow-up, the incidence of new-onset carotid plaque was 188 (21.56%). RC was significantly associated with new-onset carotid plaque [Odd ratio (OR) = 1.57 per 1 mmol/L increase, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-2.41, p = 0.038]. The highest tertile of RC (T3 group) had the highest risk of new-onset carotid plaque (OR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.63-3.95). Similar results were seen for increased other lipid parameters, but decreased HDL-C levels. When adding another lipid parameter into the adjusted model with RC simultaneously, only RC remained significantly associated with new-onset carotid plaque after adjusting for other lipid parameters (all p value < 0.005). Furthermore, RC was strongly associated with new-onset carotid plaque in participants with lower baseline LDL-C levels. Conclusion: Increased RC levels were superior to other conventional lipid parameters to be associated with new-onset carotid plaque in the Chinese community-based population. Furthermore, RC should be considered in participants with lower LDL-C levels for the purpose of early atherosclerosis prevention.

Comparison of carotid-femoral and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in association with carotid plaque in a Chinese community-based population.

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is the most widely used measurement of arterial stiffness in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the relationships between carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) and the presence of carotid plaque. This study was designed cross-sectionally and included 6027 participants from a community-based cohort in Beijing. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate and compare the associations of cfPWV and baPWV with the presence of carotid plaque. The mean (SD) cfPWV and baPWV were 8.55 ± 1.83 and 16.79 ± 3.36, respectively. The prevalence of carotid plaque was 45.26% (n = 2728). Both cfPWV (per 1 m/s increase: OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.07-1.16) and baPWV (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06) were independently associated with carotid plaque after adjusting for various confounders. Compared with bottom quartile (cfPWV ≤7.31 m/s and baPWV ≤14.44 m/s), the top quartile of cfPWV and baPWV had a significantly higher prevalence of carotid plaque (for cfPWV: OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.32-1.92; for baPWV: OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.26-1.86). However, the relationship of baPWV and carotid plaque was nonlinear, with a positive trend only when baPWV < 16.85 m/s. When comparing relationships between PWV indices and carotid plaque in one model, both cfPWV and baPWV were significantly associated with carotid plaque in participants with baPWV < 16.85 m/s; however, only cfPWV was independently associated with carotid plaque in participants with baPWV ≥16.85 m/s. Both cfPWV and baPWV were significantly associated with carotid plaque in the Chinese community-based population. Furthermore, cfPWV was more strongly correlated with carotid plaque than baPWV in participants with baseline baPWV ≥16.85 m/s.

Heart Rate Predicts the Risk of New-Onset Peripheral Arterial Disease in a Community-Based Population in China.

INTRODUCTION: Elevated heart rate is linked with poor prognosis and has been shown to accelerate the progress of atherosclerosis. However, the association between heart rate and new-onset PAD is unknown. METHODS: A total of 3463 participants without PAD at baseline from a community-based cohort in Beijing were included and followed up for 2.3 years. PAD was defined as ankle-brachial index (ABI) ≤0.9. We used multivariate logistic regression models to investigate the association of heart rate and the risk of new-onset PAD. RESULTS: Participants were 56.67 ± 8.54 years old, and 36.12% were men. The baseline ABI was 1.11 ± 0.08, and the incidence of new-onset PAD was 2.97%. Multivariate regression models, adjusted for sex, age, risk factor of atherosclerosis, medications, and baseline ABI, showed that heart rate was significantly associated with incidence of PAD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.43, P = 0.020); every increase of 10 heart beats per minute (bpm) was associated with a 22% increase in the odds of developing new-onset PAD. Respondents in the higher-heart rate group (≥80 bpm) had an increased risk of new-onset PAD, compared with those in the lower-heart rate group (<80 bpm) (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.14-2.63, P = 0.010). Subgroup analyses revealed no significant heterogeneity among the analyzed subgroups. CONCLUSION: Elevated heart rate was independently associated with the risk of new-onset PAD in a community-based population in Beijing. Heart rate management should be considered for the purpose of PAD prevention.

Association of depressive symptoms with the progression of carotid intima-media thickness in a community-based cohort in Beijing, China.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between depressive symptoms and progression of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in a Beijing community-based population. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study between 2014 and 2018. SETTING: Dwellers without cardiovascular disease, hypertension or diabetes from a Beijing community. PARTICIPANTS: 3849 Chinese community-dwelling individuals who underwent baseline screening for depressive symptoms were invited to participate in the study in 2014 and follow-up visit in 2018. Among them, 2124 participants completed carotid ultrasound examination both at baseline and a follow-up visit. After further excluding patients with a history of stroke, myocardial infarction or lower extremity arterial stenosis and those with a diagnosis of hypertension or diabetes and ankle-brachial index ≤0.9 at baseline, 1011 eligible participants were finally included. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: The rate of mean cIMT change. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up period of 4.40 years, the overall rate of mean cIMT change was 2.23% (-5.64% to 9.51%). After adjustment for 13 covariates, there was an increase of 2.36% (ß=2.36, 95% CI: 0.37 to 4.36, p=0.020) for the rates of mean cIMT change in the depressive group compared with the control group. Furthermore, this association was modified by drinking status (ß=3.22, 95% CI: 1.25 to 5.19, P-interaction=0.006). CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms were independently associated with progression of mean cIMT in a community-based cohort in Beijing, China. Furthermore, this relationship was modified by drinking status.

Sex modification of the association of the radial augmentation index and incident hypertension in a Chinese community-based population.

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness, as assessed by aortic ultrasound and pulse wave velocity, is associated with incident hypertension. However, there is still no consensus on whether the augmentation index (AI) affects new onset of hypertension. This study investigated the relationship of radial AI (rAI) and incident hypertension in a Chinese community-based population without hypertension at baseline. METHOD: A total of 1,615 Chinese non-hypertensive participants from an atherosclerosis cohort in Beijing, China were included in our analysis. Baseline rAI normalized to heart rate of 75 beats/min (rAIp75) was obtained using HEM-9000AI. New-onset hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg or self-reported hypertension or taking anti-hypertensive medications at the follow up survey. Multivariate regression models were used to evaluate the impact of rAIp75 on the risk of new-onset hypertension. RESULTS: After a mean 2.35-year follow-up, 213 (13.19%) participants developed incident hypertension. No significant relation between rAIp75 and incident hypertension was observed in the whole population after adjustment for possible confounders (adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09 [0.95-1.27];P = 0.2260). However, rAIp75 was significantly associated with incident hypertension in women, but not in men (adjusted OR and 95% CI: 1.29 [1.06-1.56],P = 0.0113 for women; 0.91 [0.72-1.15],P = 0.4244 for men; P for interaction = 0.0133). CONCLUSIONS: Sex modified the effect of the rAI on incident hypertension in a Chinese, community-based, non-hypertensive population. Screening of the rAI could be considered in women with a high risk of hypertension for the purpose of primary intervention.

Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity is independently associated with urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio in a Chinese community-based cohort.

PURPOSE: Arterial stiffness is important in the development of albuminuria. The brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) acts as an indicator of arterial stiffness and may be associated with cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) is a metric used to diagnose albuminuria and has also been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease. Here, we aim to elucidate the relationship between the baPWV and UACR in the Chinese community. METHODS: A community-based cohort of 3669 subjects was selected for the analysis. The BaPWV and UACR were measured from each subject. UACR ≥ 30 mg/g was defined as pathological albuminuria. RESULTS: The mean baPWV was 1536.59 ± 305.89 cm/s, and the median UACR value was 6.11 mg/g (interquartile range 4.17, 10.68). A threshold-effect analysis was conducted, and the results showed that the cut-off value for the baPWV was 1269 cm/s. In subjects with baPWV values lower than 1269 cm/s, the prevalence of microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria was not significantly associated with the baPWV (odds ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval 0.57-1.03, P = 0.08). However, in participants with baPWV ≥ 1269 cm/s, the prevalence of microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria increased with increasing baPWV 100 cm/s (odds ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval 1.11-1.22, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that, in this Chinese community-based cohort, elevated baPWV is independently associated with pathological albuminuria with a cut-off value of 1269 cm/s as determined by threshold-effect analysis.

Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity Predicts New-Onset Hypertension and the Modifying Effect of Blood Pressure in a Chinese Community-Based Population.

Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was proven to be a prognostic indicator of cardiovascular events. However, the modifying effect of blood pressure (BP) on the longitudinal association between baPWV and new-onset hypertension is not well established. This study included 1849 non-hypertensive Chinese subjects from Shougang cohort study during December 2011 to July 2014. BaPWV was obtained using an Omron Colin BP-203RPE III device. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations of baPWV and outcomes. During a mean follow-up time of 2.36 years, 248 (13.41%) developed hypertension. BaPWV independently and gradably predicted the risk of incident hypertension and the SBP level at revisit (odds ratio or ß (95% confidence interval) for participants with baPWV in quartile 4 vs. quartile 1: 2.72 (1.54, 4.78) for incident hypertension and 5.92 (4.26, 7.58) for SBP, P for trend: <0.001) after adjusting demonstrated risk factors. Besides, the effects of baseline baPWV on either incident hypertension or SBP at revisit were interactively modified by the level of baseline SBP; the effect size increased as the SBP level decreased. baPWV independently predicted the risk of hypertension and BP progression, modified by the level of SBP at baseline in this Chinese community-based population. The combination of baPWV and SBP can help differentiate the potential high-risk candidates who will develop hypertension quickly and benefit from early diagnosis and treatment.

Kidney function predicts the risk of asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease in a Chinese community-based population.

PURPOSE: Lower-extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can predict the risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) as a precursor of CVD has been proven to be independently associated with PAD. However, few data exist regarding the prediction value of kidney function for incident asymptomatic PAD in community-based populations. We aimed to investigate the predicting value of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for incident asymptomatic PAD in a Chinese community-based population. A total of 3549 subjects without PAD and eGFR > 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 were included. METHODS: PAD was defined by an ankle-brachial index (ABI) ≤ 0.9. Multivariate regression models were used to evaluate the associations. RESULTS: Subjects were 56.69 ± 8.56 years old and 35.9% were males. After 2.36 years of follow-up, the incidence of asymptomatic PAD was 3.1%. The risk of incident PAD was graded related to the categories of eGFR. Compared to participants with normal kidney function, the multivariate adjusted OR [95% CI] for new PAD was 1.31 (0.81-2.12) for those with mildly decreased kidney function, 4.13 (1.73-9.89) for those with grades 3 CKD (P for trend: 0.014). Baseline eGFR was significantly and linearly associated with incident PAD (OR [95% CI] for each 5 mL/min/1.73 m2 decrease of eGFR: 1.23 [1.09-1.38]) in participants with baseline eGFR < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 but not in those with baseline eGFR ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 after adjustment for covariates. CONCLUSION: Kidney function was an independent risk factor for development of incident PAD in community-based population with baseline eGFR ≤ 90 mL/min/1.73 m2.

Joint Effects of Plasma Homocysteine Concentration and Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors on the Risk of New-Onset Peripheral Arterial Disease.

PURPOSE: Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the relationship between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentration and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has not been completely characterized. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between plasma Hcy concentration and new-onset PAD and to assess the effects of combinations of Hcy and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective community-based cohort study of 3119 Chinese participants who did not have PAD at baseline, with a median follow-up period of 2.30 years. We used multivariate logistic regression models to evaluate the relationship between high Hcy (≥10µmol/L) and new-onset PAD. The effects of combinations of high Hcy and traditional cardiovascular risk factors were assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: After adjustment for 14 covariates, high Hcy concentration was significantly associated with new-onset PAD (odds ratio [OR]=2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-4.03, P=0.030). Smokers with high Hcy concentration were substantially more likely to have new-onset PAD than non-smokers with normal Hcy concentration (OR=4.44, 95% CI: 1.77-11.12, P=0.001). The effect of diabetes on PAD became significant when present in combination with high Hcy concentration (OR=3.67, 95% CI: 1.25-10.80, P=0.018). Participants with both elevated Hcy levels and older age had the highest risk of new-onset PAD (OR=4.28, 95% CI: 1.83-10.01, P<0.001). With regard to the joint effect of Hcy and hypertension, dyslipidemia or sex, there was also a trend towards increased risk across four different groups (P for trend=0.026, 0.035, 0.016, respectively). CONCLUSION: High plasma Hcy concentration independently predicts the incidence of PAD. Furthermore, there is a joint effect of high Hcy concentration and traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, diabetes and aging on the incidence of PAD.

Metabolic Syndrome Is Associated With Rapid Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Decline In A Chinese Community-Based Population.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the relationship between the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and rapid estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline in a Chinese community-based population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 3108 participants were recruited between December 2011 and July 2014 from an observational study cohort designed for the study of atherosclerotic diseases in Beijing, China. The outcome was a rapid eGFR decline. Subgroup and interaction analyses were performed with respect to a number of covariates. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up period of 2.34 (IQR: 2.29-2.41) years, the overall incidence of rapid eGFR decline was 7.24%. We found that the MetS was significantly associated with the risk of rapid eGFR decline (odds ratio [OR]=1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28-2.23, p<0.001) in a model adjusted for age, sex, and eGFR, and this relationship remained significant after adjustment for smoking, drinking, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (OR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.34-2.35, p<0.001). Waist circumference (OR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.04-1.83, p=0.027), triglycerides (OR=1.40, 95% CI: 1.05-1.86, p=0.022), blood pressure (OR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.49-2.82, p<0.001), and fasting plasma glucose (OR=2.12, 95% CI: 1.57-2.85, p<0.001), but not high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (OR=1.26, 95% CI: 0.94-1.69, p=0.117), were positively associated with the risk of rapid eGFR decline. Similarly, an increase in the number of MetS components present was associated with an increase in the risk of rapid eGFR decline. Furthermore, this association was modified by smoking status (OR=3.78, 95% CI: 1.68-8.49, p-interaction=0.030). CONCLUSION: The MetS independently predicted rapid eGFR decline in a Chinese community-based cohort recruited for the study of atherosclerosis. The relationship between the MetS and the risk of rapid eGFR decline was modified by smoking status.

Joint Effect of Non-invasive Central Systolic Blood Pressure and Peripheral Systolic Blood Pressure on Incident Hypertension in a Chinese Community-based Population.

Central blood pressure level is not always consistent with peripheral blood pressure level, and especially their joint effect on incident hypertension is not well established. A total of 1607 non-hypertensive subjects from an atherosclerosis cohort in Beijing, China were included. Central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) was obtained using Omron HEM-9000AI machine and peripheral systolic blood pressure (pSBP) was measured using Omron HEM-7117 electronic sphygmomanometer, separately. Hypertension was defined as BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg or self-reported hypertension or taking any antihypertension drugs at the follow-up survey. After a median follow-up of 2.3 years, incident hypertension was 13.1%. Every 1 standard deviation increase of cSBP and pSBP was associated with 1.98 (95%CI: 1.69-2.33) and 2.84 (95%CI: 2.30-3.52) times of incident hypertension after adjustment for confounders. Moreover, hypertension risk in single pSBP ≥ 120 mmHg group, single cSBP ≥ 120 mmHg group, and both pSBP and cSBP ≥ 120 mmHg group was 2.83 (95%CI: 0.98-8.16), 3.28 (95%CI: 1.24-8.70), and 11.47 (95%CI: 4.97-26.46) times higher than both pSBP and cSBP < 120 mmHg group, respectively. The joint effect of cSBP and pSBP is superior to either cSBP or pSBP to predict incident hypertension in a Chinese community-based population. Screening of central blood pressure should be considered in non-hypertensive population for the purpose of primary intervention, especially for subjects with pSBP ≥ 120 mmHg.