Workplace-based primary prevention intervention reduces incidence of hypertension: a post hoc analysis of cluster randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: A workplace-based primary prevention intervention be an effective approach to reducing the incidence of hypertension (HTN). However, few studies to date have addressed the effect among the Chinese working population. We assessed the effect of a workplace-based multicomponent prevention interventions program for cardiovascular disease on reducing the occurrence of HTN through encouraging employees to adopt a healthy lifestyle. METHODS: In this post hoc analysis of cluster randomized controlled study, 60 workplaces across 20 urban regions in China were randomized to either the intervention group (n = 40) or control group (n = 20). All employees in each workplace were asked to complete a baseline survey after randomization for obtaining sociodemographic information, health status, lifestyle, etc. Employees in the intervention group were given a 2-year workplace-based primary prevention intervention program for improving their cardiovascular health, including (1) cardiovascular health education, (2) a reasonable diet, (3) tobacco cessation, (4) physical environment promotion, (5) physical activity, (6) stress management, and (7) health screening. The primary outcome was the incidence of HTN, and the secondary outcomes were improvements of blood pressure (BP) levels and lifestyle factors from baseline to 24 months. A mix effect model was used to assess the intervention effect at the end of the intervention in the two groups. RESULTS: Overall, 24,396 participants (18,170 in the intervention group and 6,226 in the control group) were included (mean [standard deviation] age, 39.3 [9.1] years; 14,727 men [60.4%]). After 24 months of the intervention, the incidence of HTN was 8.0% in the intervention groups and 9.6% in the control groups [relative risk (RR) = 0.66, 95% CI, 0.58 ~ 0.76, P < 0.001]. The intervention effect was significant on systolic BP (SBP) level (ß = - 0.7 mm Hg, 95% CI, - 1.06 ~ - 0.35; P < 0.001) and on diastolic BP (DBP) level (ß = - 1.0 mm Hg, 95% CI, - 1.31 ~ - 0.76; P < 0.001). Moreover, greater improvements were reported in the rates of regular exercise [odd ratio (OR) = 1.39, 95% CI, 1.28 ~ 1.50; P < 0.001], excessive intake of fatty food (OR = 0.54, 95% CI, 0.50 ~ 0.59; P < 0.001), and restrictive use of salt (OR = 1.22, 95% CI, 1.09 ~ 1.36; P = 0.001) in intervention groups. People with a deteriorating lifestyle had higher rates of developing HTN than those with the same or improved lifestyle. Subgroup analysis showed that the intervention effect of BP on employees with educational attainment of high school above (SBP: ß = - 1.38/ - 0.76 mm Hg, P < 0.05; DBP: ß = - 2.26/ - 0.75 mm Hg, P < 0.001), manual labor workers and administrative worker (SBP: ß = - 1.04/ - 1.66 mm Hg, P < 0.05; DBP: ß = - 1.85/ - 0.40 mm Hg, P < 0.05), and employees from a workplace with an affiliated hospital (SBP: ß = - 2.63 mm Hg, P < 0.001; DBP: ß = - 1.93 mm Hg, P < 0.001) were significantly in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: This post hoc analysis found that workplace-based primary prevention interventions program for cardiovascular disease were effective in promoting healthy lifestyle and reducing the incidence of HTN among employees. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry No. ChiCTR-ECS-14004641.

Cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality associated with individual and combined cardiometabolic risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have investigated the association between cardiometabolic risk factors and cardiovascular disease (CVD), but evidence of the attributable burden of individual and combined cardiometabolic risk factors for CVD and mortality is limited. We aimed to investigate and quantify the associations and population attributable fraction (PAF) of cardiometabolic risk factors on CVD and all-cause mortality, and calculate the loss of CVD-free years and years of life lost in relation to the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors. METHODS: Twenty-two thousand five hundred ninety-six participants aged ≥ 35 without CVD at baseline were included between October 2012 and December 2015. The outcomes were the composite of fatal and nonfatal CVD events and all-cause mortality, which were followed up in 2018 and 2019 and ascertained by hospital records and death certificates. Cox regression was applied to evaluate the association of individual and combined cardiometabolic risk factors (including hypertension, diabetes and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)) with CVD risk and all-cause mortality. We also described the PAF for CVD and reductions in CVD-free years and life expectancy associated with different combination of cardiometabolic conditions. RESULTS: During the 4.92 years of follow-up, we detected 991 CVD events and 1126 deaths. Hazard ratio were 1.59 (95% confidential interval (CI) 1.37-1.85), 1.82 (95%CI 1.49-2.24) and 2.97 (95%CI 1.85-4.75) for CVD and 1.38 (95%CI 1.20-1.58), 1.66 (95%CI 1.37-2.02) and 2.97 (95%CI 1.88-4.69) for all-cause mortality, respectively, in participants with one, two or three cardiometabolic risk factors compared with participants without diabetes, hypertension, and high LDL-C. 21.48% of CVD and 15.38% of all-cause mortality were attributable to the combined effect of diabetes and hypertension. Participants aged between 40 and 60 years old, with three cardiometabolic disorders, had approximately 4.3-year reductions life expectancy compared with participants without any abnormalities of cardiometabolic disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiometabolic risk factors were associated with a multiplicative risk of CVD incidence and all-cause mortality, highlighting the importance of comprehensive management for hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia in the prevention of CVD.

Air pollution attenuated the benefits of physical activity on blood pressure: Evidence from a nationwide cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Although physical activity (PA) has multiple health benefits, the inhaled dose of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during PA may increase. The trade-off between harmful effects of PM2.5 exposure and protective effects of PA remain unclear. Our study aims to examine the joint effects of PA and PM2.5 exposure on blood pressure (BP) in Chinese adults. METHODS: A total of 203,108 adults aged ≥ 18 years from the China Hypertension Survey study (2012-2015) were included. Individual-level PA was assessed as minutes of metabolic equivalent tasks per week (MET-min/week). The average weekly PM2.5 exposures were estimated by using a spatial resolution of 10 km, integrating multiple data sources, including monitoring values, satellite measurements and model simulations. BP was measured with a professional portable BP monitor. Generalized linear regressions were used to estimate joint associations and to further explore two-dimensional nonlinear associations. RESULTS: The median PA and 4-week PM2.5 average exposures were 3213.0 MET-min/week and 47.8 µg/m3, respectively. PA was negatively associated with BP, while PM2.5 exposure was positively with BP. The associations between PA and systolic BP were significantly modified by PM2.5 exposure (Pinteraction < 0.001). Compared with inactive participants under low PM2.5 exposure, those with highest level of PA under low PM2.5 exposure had a 0.90 (95 % CI: 0.53, 1.26) mmHg decrease in systolic BP, whereas they had a 0.48 (95 % CI: 0.07, 0.89) mmHg increase under high PM2.5 exposure. When PM2.5 exposure was approximately > 25 µg/m3, the joint exposure to total PA and PM2.5 was associated with an increase in systolic BP. CONCLUSIONS: The benefits of PA on BP were counteracted by high PM2.5 levels.

The prevalence and characteristics of metabolic syndrome according to different definitions in China: a nationwide cross-sectional study, 2012-2015.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by a cluster of signs of metabolic disturbance and has caused a huge burden on the health system. The study aims to explore the prevalence and characteristics of MetS defined by different criteria in the Chinese population. METHODS: Using the data of the China Hypertension Survey (CHS), a nationally representative cross-sectional study from October 2012 to December 2015, a total of 28,717 participants aged 35 years and above were included in the analysis. The MetS definitions of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the updated US National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (the revised ATP III), and the Joint Committee for Developing Chinese Guidelines (JCDCG) on Prevention and Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults were used. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with MetS. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS diagnosed according to the definitions of IDF, the revised ATP III, and JCCDS was 26.4%, 32.3%, and 21.5%, respectively. The MetS prevalence in men was lower than in women by IDF definition (22.2% vs. 30.3%) and by the revised ATP III definition (29.2% vs. 35.4%), but the opposite was true by JCDCG (24.4%vs 18.5%) definition. The consistency between the three definitions for men and the revised ATP III definition and IDF definition for women was relatively good, with kappa values ranging from 0.77 to 0.89, but the consistency between the JCDCG definition and IDF definition (kappa = 0.58) and revised ATP III definition (kappa = 0.58) was poor. Multivariable logistic regression showed that although the impact and correlation intensity varied with gender and definition, area, age, education, smoking, alcohol use, and family history of cardiovascular disease were factors related to MetS. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and characteristics of the MetS vary with the definition used in the Chinese population. The three MetS definitions are more consistent in men but relatively poor in women. On the other hand, even if estimated according to the definition of the lowest prevalence, MetS is common in China.

Dose-response association between physical activity and blood pressure among Chinese adults: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the dose-response associations of physical activity with blood pressure (BP) and hypertension risk among Chinese adults. METHODS: Derived from the national community-based China Hypertension Survey database during 2012--2015, a total of 203 108 residents aged at least 18 years were included. Individual-level physical activity was evaluated using a standardized questionnaire, and minutes of metabolic equivalent tasks per week (MET-min/week) were calculated, integrating domain, intensity, frequency, and duration. Multivariable linear and logistic regressions were used to estimate associations of physical activity with BP and hypertension risk, and restricted cubic spline regressions were performed for their nonlinear dose-response relationships. RESULTS: Overall, the median total physical activity (TPA) was 3213.0 MET-min/week and the prevalence of physical inactivity was 14.8%. TPA was negatively associated with BP. Increasing TPA levels was related to a steep decrease in systolic BP, up to approximately 2500 MET-min/week, with more modest benefits above that level of TPA. Higher levels of domain-specific and intensity-specific physical activity were found to be associated with lower BP levels and hypertension risk, except for the association between vigorous-intensity physical activity and systolic BP. We found that TPA within the range of 2000--4000 MET-min/week, a higher frequency and shorter duration were inversely associated with diastolic BP levels. CONCLUSION: Total, domain-specific, and intensity-specific physical activity were inversely related to BP levels, respectively, in a dose-response fashion. Of a given amount, higher-frequency, shorter-duration, and lower-intensity physical activity produced more beneficial effects.

Impact of Comorbidity on the Duration from Symptom Onset to Death in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Retrospective Study of 104,753 Cases in Pakistan.

(1) Background: The evidence indicates that comorbidities are associated with an increase in the risk of death from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is unclear whether such an association is different for various combinations of chronic disease comorbidities. (2) Methods: From 16 March 2020 to 30 November 2021, 104,753 patients with confirmed COVID-19 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan, were studied to determine the association between comorbidities and the duration from symptom onset to death in patients with COVID-19 by stratifying their comorbidity status. (3) Results: The patients with comorbidities had an 84% (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.17) decrease in the duration from symptom onset to death, as opposed to patients without a comorbidity. Among the patients with only one comorbidity, chronic lung disease (OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.09) had a greater impact on the duration from symptom onset to death than hypertension (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.18) or diabetes (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.18). The patients with both hypertension and diabetes had the shortest duration (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.20) among the patients with two comorbidities. (4) Conclusions: Comorbidity yielded significant adverse impacts on the duration from symptom onset to death in COVID-19 patients in Pakistan. The impact varied with different combinations of chronic disease comorbidities in terms of the number and type of comorbidities.

Cross-level interaction between individual education and regional chemical fertilizer consumption on the risk of hypertension: evidence from the China hypertension survey.

Hypertension is a common and costly public health burden in China, while the interaction effects of individual and contextual level factors on the risk of hypertension remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether the interaction effects between individual education and regional chemical fertilizer consumption are associated with the risk of hypertension based on a cross-level interaction perspective. Data was from the China Hypertension Survey (CHS) study, which used a nationally representative sample, and was conducted between 2012 and 2015. A total of 379 467 participants aged over 18 years from 221 counties in 31 provinces were included. A cross-sectional study design and two-level logistic models were conducted to investigate the cross-level interaction between individual education and regional chemical fertilizer consumption on the risk of hypertension after adjusting for potential confounding variables. Compared to individuals with high education (college or more), the adjusted OR (95%CI) for hypertension among those in the high school, middle school, and elementary school or less was 1.16 (1.12-1.21), 1.25 (1.20-1.30), and 1.49 (1.43-1.55), respectively. The association between regional chemical fertilizer consumption and hypertension was not significant. Interaction analysis showed that regional chemical fertilizer consumption was associated with an increased risk of hypertension for individuals with lower education. These patterns were consistent after stratified by sex. This study provided evidence from the Chinese population that interaction between individual education and regional chemical fertilizer was associated with risk of hypertension. Future research and policy aimed to improve population health and reduce hypertension could address the regional context of population as well as individual factors.

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and cardiovascular disease in different ambient air pollution conditions: A prospective cohort study.

Although previous studies indicated that the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), it remains unclear whether effects would be enhanced or accelerated by long-term air pollution exposure. During 4.65 years (107,726 person-years) of follow-up, 942 cases of CVD events incident were identified among 23,143 participants from the China Hypertension Survey (CHS). Grading diastolic dysfunction was based on Recommendations for the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function by echocardiography (2009). The annual average PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 concentrations were obtained by the chemical data assimilation system. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for CVD in relation to LVDD. At baseline, the participants' mean age was 56.7 years, 46.8% were male. Compared to normal group, the HR (95% CI) of LVDD was 1.27 (1.07-1.50) after adjusting for all covariates. When stratified by ambient air pollution, we found that in middle and worst third PM2.5 areas, increased CVD risk was associated with increasing LVDD grade, both P for trend <0.05; The HRs (95% CI) of the CVD incidence were 1.52 (0.68-3.44), 4.97 (1.76-14.03) and 4.07 (1.44-11.49) for severe LVDD in the best, middle and worst third PM2.5 areas, respectively. Similar results were also presented for PM10 and NO2. In conclusion, our study highlights a stronger detectable adverse association between LVDD with CVD in worse ambient air quality assessed by any of the three primary ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10 and NO2). Our study calls for appropriate interventions to reduce air pollution, which may promote great benefits to public health potentially by providing protection against the adverse CVD events.

The prevalence of hypertension in Chinese adolescents aged 15-17 years: A comparison of different criteria.

This study intended to compare the prevalence of hypertension in adolescents aged 15-17 years in China according to different criteria defined by various guidelines. We included 28 715 adolescents aged 15-17 years from the China Hypertension Survey study (CHS) 2012-2015, and the 2017 American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) Clinical Practice Guideline and 2018 Chinese guidelines for children and adults were used to define hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension among Chinese adolescents aged 15-17 years was 24.4% according to the 2018 Chinese guidelines for children; the corresponding values were 18.6% according to the 2017 AAP Guidelines, and 3.5% according to 2018 Chinese guidelines for adults. The age-specific prevalence of hypertension in the age of 15, 16, and 17 years in the same population was 26.2%, 24.4%, and 23.3% according to 2018 Chinese guidelines for children; 18.8%, 17.9%, and 19.2% as per the 2017 AAP Guidelines; 3.4%, 3.4%, and 3.6% as per the 2018 Chinese guidelines for adults. A highest prevalence of hypertension was observed according to 2018 Chinese guidelines for children than the other two guidelines. Compared with the 2018 Chinese guidelines for children, a higher 95th percentile BP (systolic and diastolic) was also observed in the present study in each gender-age-height-specific group. And the height, which was key factor to influence blood pressure, was similar between adolescents aged 15-17 and adults, and a paralleled result was seen in the present study. Therefore, the 2018 Chinese guidelines for adults may also be appropriate for adolescents aged 15-17 years.

Effect of a Multicomponent Intervention Delivered on a Web-Based Platform on Hypertension Control: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The prevalence of hypertension is high and still increasing across the world, while the control rate remains low in many countries. Emerging technology, such as telemedicine, may offer additional support to change the unsatisfactory situation. Objective: To establish a multicomponent intervention delivered on a web-based telemedicine platform and oriented with the Chinese hypertension management guidelines and to evaluate the effect of the intervention on blood pressure (BP) control for patients with hypertension. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cluster randomized clinical trial of a hypertension management program was conducted at 66 community health centers in China from October 1, 2018, to May 31, 2020, with a 12-month follow-up. Patients with hypertension were blinded to randomization and were randomized to either the intervention group or control group. Hypertension was diagnosed at mean systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) readings higher than 140 and 90 mm Hg or with use of antihypertensive medication. Evaluation of the intervention effect was based on the principle of modified intention to treat. Interventions: Multicomponent intervention was delivered on a web-based platform and consisted of a primary prevention program for cardiovascular disease and standardized management for hypertension. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the change in BP control rate (SBP and DBP levels <140 and 90 mm Hg, or <130 and 80 mm Hg for patients with diabetes) from baseline to the 12-month follow-up among patients with hypertension in the intervention and control groups. Results: A total of 4118 patients (mean [SD] age, 61.6 [9.4] years; 2265 women [55.0%]) were included in the analysis, with 2985 in the intervention group and 1133 in the control group. The BP control rate at baseline was 22.8% in the intervention group and 22.5% in the control group. After 12 months of the intervention, the BP control rate for the intervention group compared with the control group was significantly higher (47.4% vs 30.2%; odds ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.13-1.24; P < .001). The intervention effect on SBP level was -10.1 mm Hg (95% CI, -11.7 to -8.5 mm Hg; P < .001) and on DBP level was -1.8 mm Hg (95% CI, -2.8 to -0.8 mm Hg; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this trial showed that a multicomponent intervention delivered on a web-based platform improved BP control rate and lowered BP level more than usual care alone. Such a telemedicine program may provide a new, effective way to treat patients with hypertension in the community and may generate public health benefits across diverse populations. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Identifier: ChiCTR1800017791.

Hypertension-mediated organ damage and established cardiovascular disease in patients with hypertension: the China Hypertension Survey, 2012-2015.

Hypertension is a major health burden worldwide. However, there is limited data on the status of hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) and established cardiovascular (CV) disease in Chinese hypertensive patients. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of HMOD and established CV disease in a nationally representative population in China. A stratified multistage random sampling method was used in the China Hypertension Survey and 21,243 participants aged 35 or older were eligible for analysis in this study. For each participant, the demographic information and a self-reported medical history were acquired. Blood pressure was measured with the electronic device 3 times on the right arm, supported at heart level, after the participant was sitting at rest for 5 min. Samples of blood and urine were tested. 2-D and Doppler echocardiography were used to assess the heart's function and structures. Sampling weights were calculated based on the 2010 China population census data. Overall, the weighted prevalence of asymptomatic HMOD was 22.1%, 28.9%, 23.1%, 6.4%, and 6.2% for wide pulse pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy, microalbuminuria, chronic kidney disease, and abnormal ankle-brachial index, respectively. For the established CV disease, the weighted prevalence was 1.8%, 1.3%, 2.0%, and 1.1% for stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation, respectively. The prevalence of asymptomatic HMOD and established CV disease was greater with higher blood pressure level (P < 0.05), rather than ankle-brachial index. Compared to those with uncontrolled hypertension, the prevalence of asymptomatic HMOD was lower in patients with controlled hypertension. In summary, the prevalence of HMOD in Chinese people aged 35 or older was very common, indicating a substantial future burden of both morbidity and mortality from hypertension in China. Clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR-ECS-14004641.

Age at Menarche and Menopause, Reproductive Lifespan, and Risk of Cardiovascular Events Among Chinese Postmenopausal Women: Results From a Large National Representative Cohort Study.

Background: At present, the association between age at menarche and menopause, reproductive lifespan, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among Chinese postmenopausal women is not clear, and some related researches are contradictory. Methods: A total of 6,198 Chinese postmenopausal women with a mean age of 63.6 years were enrolled at baseline in 2012-2015 and followed up for 5 years. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect relevant information by well-trained interviewers. Physical examination of the participants was performed by trained medical staff. CVD events were observed during follow-up. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios between reproductive characteristics and CVD events. Results: Age at menarche was positively associated with CVD events (HR, 1.106; 95%CI, 1.047-1.167). There was a negative association between age at menopause and CVD risk in postmenopausal women with comorbidity (HR, 0.952; 95%CI, 0.909-0.996). Reproductive lifespan was negatively associated with CVD events (HR, 0.938; 95%CI, 0.880-0.999). The CVD risk increased by 10.6% for every 1-year increase in age at menarche. The CVD risk reduced by 6.2% for every 1-year increase in age at menopause in women with comorbidity. The CVD risk reduced by 3.8% for every 1-year increase in reproductive lifespan. Conclusions: Based on the large prospective study with a nationally representative sample, Chinese postmenopausal women with late age at menarche and shorter reproductive lifespan have higher risk of CVD events.

Reproductive lifespan in association with risk of hypertension among Chinese postmenopausal women: Results from a large representative nationwide population.

Background: The association between reproductive lifespan and risk of hypertension among postmenopausal women is unclear. Methods: A total of 94,141 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 64.8 years from the China Hypertension Survey were enrolled at baseline from 2012 to 2015. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect relevant information by well-trained interviewers. Blood pressure and physical examination of the participants were performed by trained medical staff. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios for hypertension by years of reproductive lifespan. Results: The average years of reproductive lifespan in Chinese women was 34.0 years. Women who were longer in reproductive lifespan were more likely to have older age at recruitment, higher body mass index, larger waist circumference, lower mean systolic blood pressure, and higher mean diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). After adjustments, odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for hypertension were 1.035 (0.988-1.085), 1.007 (0.966-1.048), 1.000 (reference), 0.932 (0.899-0.967), and 0.953 (0.909-0.997) for those with reproductive lifespan at ≤ 28, 29-31, 32-34 (reference), 35-37, and ≥ 38 years, respectively, with a significantly inverse association was seen in those with reproductive lifespan at 35-37 and ≥ 38 years. The overall risk of hypertension declined with the increase in reproductive lifespan, and the risk of hypertension was reduced by 1.1% for every 1-year increase in the reproductive lifespan (odds ratio, 0.989; 95% confidence interval, 0985-0.994) per year. The negative association between reproductive lifespan and hypertension was evident among age at recruitment groups, body mass index categories, and education levels, with the strongest association among women aged ≥ 70 years. Positive associations between reproductive lifespan and risk of hypertension were evident among women aged < 60 years, and this association was stronger among current alcohol drinkers. Conclusion: Based on the large nationally representative sample, Chinese postmenopausal women with a shorter reproductive lifespan have a higher risk of hypertension.

Age at menarche and risk of hypertension in Chinese adult women: Results from a large representative nationwide population.

This study explored the association between age at menarche and the risk of hypertension in Chinese women. A total of 234 867 women aged ≥18 years from the China Hypertension Survey were included in this study. Participants were required to complete a standard questionnaire. Blood pressure and physical examination of the participants were performed by trained medical staff. Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between age at menarche and other individual characteristics. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios for hypertension by age in years at menarche. The average age at menarche in Chinese women was 14.8 years. Women who were older at menarche were more likely to have a higher body mass index, larger waist circumference, smoke, and have a primary education (p < .05). After adjustments, odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for hypertension across age at menarche groups were 0.912 (0.877-0.948), 0.927 (0.893-0.963), 1.00 (reference), 1.061 (1.020-1.102), and 1.129 (1.090-1.169) for those aged ≤13, 14, 15 (reference), 16, and ≥17 years at menarche, respectively. Each 1-year delay in menarche was associated with a 6.2% increase in the prevalence of hypertension (odds ratio, 1.062; 95% confidence interval, 1.053-1.071). The positive association between age at menarche and hypertension was evident among age at recruitment groups, BMI categories, and education levels. This association was stronger in urban women and postmenopausal women. Our findings suggest that late menarche is related to a higher risk of hypertension among Chinese adult women, and this association appeared similar among different subgroups.

Aspirin use in patients with diagnosed diabetes in the United States and China: Nationally representative analysis.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological data on the use of aspirin in diabetic patients is very limited. The main purpose of this study is to examine the current status of aspirin use in the United States (US) and China in large representative populations. METHODS: Data came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and China Hypertension Survey (CHS), two nationally representative cross-sectional studies. RESULTS: The percentage of aspirin use was 73.8% in US diabetic patients with ASCVD, and the percentage of aspirin use in diabetic patients with high ASCVD risk was marginally higher in men (p = .052), 54.5% in men and 37.1% in women. The percentages of aspirin use in diabetic patients with intermediate and low ASCVD risk were 55.1% and 35.0%, respectively. In China, the percentage of aspirin use in diabetic patients with ASCVD was 53.5%, and were 14.3%, 9.7%, and 3.2% among diabetic patients with high, intermediate, and low ASCVD risk, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the percentage of aspirin use in primary prevention in US diabetic patients in men was higher than in women, and this percentage for primary and secondary prevention in US patients was higher than that in Chinese patients.

Association of heating fuel types with mortality and cardiovascular events among non-smokers in China.

Only a few prospective studies have investigated the relationship between solid fuel use and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality, and they have reported inconsistent conclusions. This study aimed to investigate the effect of solid fuel heating on the risk of CVD events and all-cause mortality among non-smokers. Data of this sub-study were obtained from the China Hypertension Survey (CHS), and 13,528 non-smoking participants aged 35 or above without self-reported medical history of CVD were enrolled between October 2012 and December 2015. CVD events and all-cause mortality were followed up in 2018 and 2019. The type of primary heating fuel was categorized as clean fuel (natural gas and electricity) and solid fuel (coal, wood, and straw). Cox regression was applied to evaluate the relationship between solid fuel use and CVD events and all-cause mortality. Of the 13,528 non-smoking participants, the mean age was 55.4 ± 13.1 years. During the median follow-up of 4.93 years, 424 participants developed fatal or nonfatal CVD (stroke, 273; coronary heart disease, 119; and other cardiovascular events, 32) and 288 died from all causes. The cumulative incidence of fatal and nonfatal CVD and all-cause mortality were 6.78 and 4.62 per 1000 person-years, respectively. Solid fuel heating was independently associated with an increased risk of fatal or nonfatal stroke and all-cause mortality compared with the use of clean fuels, the fully adjusted hazard ratios (HRs), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 1.44 (1.00-2.08) and 1.55 (1.10-2.17), respectively. The relationship between solid fuel heating and fatal and nonfatal CVD events was non-significant (HR = 1.19; 95% CI: 0.89-1.59). Solid fuel heating is longitudinally associated with a higher risk of stroke and all-cause mortality in non-smoking Chinese. Switching to cleaner energy sources for heating may be important for reducing the risk of CVD and mortality.

Heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction in older patients with chronic kidney disease: the China Hypertension Survey (2012-2015).

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospitalization and mortality for older chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. However, the epidemiological data is scarce. We aimed to determine the prevalence of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and HF, and to explore the risk factors for HF among those patients. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis of the China Hypertension Survey conducted between October 2012 and December 2015. A total of 5, 808 participants aged ≥ 65 years were included in the analysis. Self-reported history of HF and any other cardiovascular diseases was acquired. 2-D and Doppler echocardiography were used to assess LV dysfunction. CKD was defined as either estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 or urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥ 30 mg/g. RESULTS: Among CKD patients aged ≥ 65 years, the weighted prevalence of HF, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF), and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) was 4.8%, 2.5%, 0.8%, and 1.7%, respectively. The weighted prevalence of HF was 5.0% in patients with eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2, and was 5.9% in patients with ACR ≥ 30 mg/g. The prevalence of LV systolic dysfunction was 3.1%, and while it was 8.9% for moderate/severe diastolic dysfunction. Multivariate analysis showed that smoking was significantly associated with the risk of HF. Furthermore, age, smoking, and residents in rural areas were significantly associated with a risk of LV diastolic dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HF and LV dysfunction was high in older patients with CKD, suggesting that particular strategies will be required.