Effects of the total physical activity and its changes on incidence, progression, and remission of hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: Moderate to vigorous physical activity is recommended to prevent hypertension according to the current guidelines. However, the degree to which the total physical activity (TPA) and its changes benefit normotensives and hypertensives is uncertain. We aimed to examine the effects of TPA and its changes on the incidence, progression, and remission of hypertension in the large-scale prospective cohorts. METHODS: A total of 73,077 participants (55,101 normotensives and 17,976 hypertensives) were eligible for TPA analyses. During a mean follow-up of 7.16 years (394,038 person-years), 12,211 hypertension cases were identified. TPA was estimated as metabolic equivalents and categorized into quartiles. Cox proportional hazards regression and multivariable logistic regression were used to estimate associations of TPA and changes in TPA with incident hypertension and progression/remission of hypertension. RESULTS: Compared with the lowest quartile of TPA, normotensives at the third and the highest quartile had a decreased risk of incident hypertension, with hazard ratios (HRs) of 0.86 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.81-0.91] and 0.81 (95% CI: 0.77-0.86), respectively. Hypertensives at the highest quartile of TPA demonstrated a decreased risk of progression of hypertension [odds ratio (OR) = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.79-0.95], and an increased probability of hypertension remission (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05-1.29). Moreover, getting active from a sedentary lifestyle during the follow-up period could reduce 25% (HR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.58-0.96) risk of incident hypertension, whereas those becoming sedentary did not achieve benefit from initially being active. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that increasing and maintaining TPA levels could benefit normotensives, whereas higher TPA levels were needed to effectively control progression and improve remission of hypertension. Physical activity played undoubtedly an essential role in both primary and secondary prevention of hypertension.

Associations of soybean products intake with blood pressure changes and hypertension incidence: the China-PAR project.

BACKGROUND: The relationships between dietary intake of soybean products and incident hypertension were still uncertain. This study aimed to illustrate the associations between intake of soybean products with risks of incident hypertension and longitudinal changes of blood pressure in a prospective cohort study. METHODS: We included 67, 499 general Chinese adults from the Project of Prediction for Atherosclerosis Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China (China-PAR). Information about soybean products consumption was collected by standardized questionnaires, and study participants were categorized into the ideal (≥ 125 g/day) or non-ideal (< 125 g/day) group. Hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for incident hypertension were calculated using Cox proportional hazard models. Among participants with repeated measures of blood pressure, generalized linear models were used to examine the relationships between soybean products consumption and blood pressure changes. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 7.4 years, compared with participants who consumed < 125 g of soybean products per day, multivariable adjusted HR for those in the ideal group was 0.73 (0.67-0.80). This inverse association remained robust across most subgroups while significant interactions were tested between soybean products intake and age, sex, urbanization and geographic region (P values for interaction < 0.05). The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were 1.05 (0.71-1.39) mmHg and 0.44 (0.22-0.66) mmHg lower among participants in the ideal group than those in the non-ideal group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that intake of soybean products might reduce the long-term blood pressure levels and hypertension incidence among Chinese population, which has important public health implications for primary prevention of hypertension.

Beneficial effects of moderate to vigorous physical activity on cardiovascular disease among Chinese adults.

BACKGROUND: In China, lack of evidence remains a significant challenge for the national initiative to promote physical activity (PA). We aimed to quantify the beneficial effects of meeting or maintaining the recommended PA level [150 minutes per week (min/wk) of moderate PA or 75 min/wk of vigorous PA or an equivalent combination] on incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Chinese population. METHODS: We included 100,560 participants without history of CVD from three cohorts in the Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China (China-PAR) project. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CVD events and its subtypes, including stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and CVD death. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 7.3 years (range: 6-15 years), 777,163 person-years and 4693 incident CVD events were observed. Compared with participants who were inactive at baseline, the multivariable adjusted HR (95% CI) of developing CVD was 0.74 (0.69-0.79) for those who met recommended moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) level at baseline. Furthermore, the risk of CVD incidence was reduced with increment of MVPA (P trend < 0.001), and the HR (95% CI) of highly-active versus inactive category was 0.62 (0.56-0.68). Compared with individuals who were inactive both at the baseline and follow-up, those keeping active over the period of follow-up had a substantial lower risk of incident CVD with the HR (95% CI) of 0.57 (0.43-0.77). CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrated that meeting and maintaining the recommended MVPA level could reduce the cardiovascular risk. Wider adoption of the PA recommendations would have considerable health impacts to the Chinese population.

Risk stratification of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in Chinese adults.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the distribution of observed atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) incidence in contemporary cohorts in China, and to identify cut-off points for ASCVD risk classification based on traditional criteria and new equations developed by Prediction for ASCVD Risk in China (China-PAR). METHODS: The study populations included cohorts in the China-PAR project, with 34,757 participants eligible for the current analysis. Traditional risk stratification was assessed by using Chinese guidelines on prevention of CVD and hypertension, and 5 risk groups were classified based on these guidelines after slight modification for available risk factors. Kaplan-Meier analysis was conducted to obtain the cumulative incidence of observed ASCVD events for all subjects and sub-groups. The predicted 10-year ASCVD risk was obtained using the China-PAR equations. RESULTS: A total of 1922 ASCVD events were identified during an average follow-up of 14.1 years. According to the group classification based on traditional risk stratification, the observed 10-year risks for ASCVD were 4.61% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.11-5.10%) in the moderate-risk group and 8.74% (95% CI: 7.82-9.66%) in the high-risk group. Based on the China-PAR equations for risk assessment of ASCVD, those with predicted risks of <5%, 5-10%, and ≥10% could be classified into categories of low-, moderate-, and high-risk for ASCVD, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings enable development of a simple method for classification of individuals into low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups, based on the China-PAR equations. The method will be useful for self-management and prevention of ASCVD in Chinese adults.

[Current status and urban-rural comparison of clinical agency of detection, management, and health insurance for hypertensive patients in communities of five provinces in China in 2010].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the status of the clinical agency of detection, management, and health insurance for hypertensive patients in urban and rural communities of five provinces in China in 2010, in order to provide fundamental data for implementation and evaluation of community health management of hypertensive patients in basic public health service. METHODS: From Jiangsu, Shandong, Hebei, Sichuan and Gansu provinces, cities and districts (counties) were selected according to economic development level and 10 survey sites were finally determined. In each survey site, 3-4 communities or townships were selected by cluster sampling methods in 2010. A total of 8326 eligible hypertensive patients (4363 in urban and 3963 in rural) were included. The urban-rural difference of clinical agency and health insurance was compared for hypertensive patients. RESULTS: In urban areas, 43.74% (1867/4268) hypertensive patients were first diagnosed at hospitals of district level or above, 25.07% (1070/4268) at community health service centers (CHSC), and 20.20% (862/4268) at community health service stations (CHSS), respectively; 30.72% (1274/4147) and 31.11% (1290/4147) patients chose CHSC and CHSS for their follow-up visiting, respectively; 60.23% (3073/5102) antihypertensive medication was obtained from pharmacies. In rural areas, 54.58% (2133/3908) hypertensive patients were first diagnosed at village clinics, 22.36% (874/3908) at township hospitals, and 18.86% (737/3908) at hospitals of county level or above; 70.49% (2695/3823) patients chose village clinics for their follow-up visiting; 46.23% (2116/4577) antihypertensive medication was obtained from village clinics, and 36.29% (1661/4577) from pharmacies. The main reasons for choosing clinical agency for both urban and rural patients were convenience (45.79%, 6276/13 706) and low cost (11.78%, 1614/13 706). The proportions of reimbursements for hospitalization expenses and total medical expenses for hypertensive patients in urban in the past year were 66.67% and 34.78%, respectively, which were much higher than those in rural (35.71% and 9.50%) (Z value was -12.13 and -17.56, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Community-based hypertension detection and routine blood pressure measurement during clinical visiting should be further strengthened to improve early diagnosis of hypertension. The development of community-based clinical agency should be able to provide convenient and low cost health service for hypertensive patients to improve treatment, follow-up and control of hypertension.

Increased Th17 cell frequency concomitant with decreased Foxp3+ Treg cell frequency in the peripheral circulation of patients with carotid artery plaques.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: We investigated a possible imbalance between T helper (Th)17 and CD4+ CD25+ forkhead/winged helix transcription factor (Foxp3) T regulatory (Treg) cells in patients with carotid artery plaques. MATERIAL OR SUBJECTS: From November 2009 to September 2010, we enrolled 126 males and 104 females with mean age 68.24 ± 6.71 years. TREATMENT: Based on carotid artery sonography, the 230 subjects were categorized into three groups: plaque negative; stable plaques; and unstable plaques. METHODS: Th17 and Treg cell frequencies, relevant plasma cytokines (IL-17, IL-6, IL-23, and TNF-α), and RORγt mRNA levels were determined. RESULTS: Compared to plaque negative, Th17 cells, Th17-related cytokines (IL-17, IL-6, IL-23, and TNF-α), and RORγt mRNA levels were higher with stable plaques, and highest with unstable plaques. The opposite trend was found for Treg cells, Treg-related cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-ß1), and Foxp3 mRNA. Th17 cell frequencies were significantly negatively correlated with Treg cell frequencies. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation demonstrated that there is a Th17/Treg functional imbalance in patients with unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques. Th17 cells may promote atherogenesis, while Treg cells may have a protective role against atherosclerosis plaques. An imbalance of Th17/Treg cells may offer a new direction for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

[The analysis of drug cost and direct medical expense in community health management of hypertensive patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the current situation of drug cost, hospitalization cost and direct medical expense in community health management of hypertensive patients, in order to lay foundation for evaluating whether the community health management in basic public health service has cost-effect in Health Economics. METHODS: A total of 8326 hypertensive patients from 10 survey pilots in 5 provinces were selected by cluster sampling methods, including 3967 patients who took part in community health management for over 1 year as management group and 4359 cases who have never taken part in community health management as control group. The essential information of research objects were collected by questionnaire; and the medical cost information in the last year (from November 2009 to November 2010) were collected retrospectively. The different annual medical treatment cost, hospitalization cost and direct medical expense in the two groups were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: The average annual drug cost in hypertension was (621.50 ± 1337.78) yuan per patient; while the cost was (616.13 ± 1248.40) yuan in management group and (626.44 ± 1414.30) yuan in control group respectively. The average annual drug cost of hypertensive patients who took medicine therapy was (702.05 ± 1401.79) yuan per person, while the cost in the management group ((688.50 ± 1300.70) yuan) was much lower than it in control group ((714.64 ± 1489.60) yuan). The annual average drug cost in urban was (731.88 ± 1403.31) yuan per person, which was higher than it in rural as (407.44 ± 1171.44) yuan per person. The average hospitalized rate was 12.2% (1014/8326), and the average annual cost among the hospitalized patients was (9264.47 ± 18 088.49) yuan per person; while the cost was (7583.70 ± 13 267.00) yuan in management group, which was lower than it in control group as (11 028.00 ± 21 919.00) yuan. The average annual hospitalized cost in hypertension was (1064.87 ± 6804.83) yuan per person; while the cost was (936.73 ± 5284.90) yuan in management group, which was lower than it in control group as (1181.50 ± 7937.90) yuan. The average annual direct medical expense in hypertension was (2275.08 ± 8225.66) yuan per person; while the expense was (2165.10 ± 6564.60) yuan in management group and (2375.20 ± 9487.60) yuan in control group. The average annual direct medical expense in urban ((2801.06 ± 9428.54) yuan per person) was higher than it in rural ((1254.70 ± 4990.27) yuan per person). CONCLUSION: The community health or standardized management of hypertensive patients can reduce the average annual drug cost and hospitalization cost (around 26 yuan and 245 yuan separately); and thereby save the annual direct medical expense per capita in hypertension (around 210 yuan). In the reform and development of national medical health system, we should enhance and promote the standardized community health management of hypertensive patients.

Sociodemographic and lifestyle risk factors for incident dementia and cognitive decline in the HYVET.

INTRODUCTION: previous studies have suggested that smoking, living alone and having a high body mass index may increase risk of developing dementia whereas a normal body mass index, having received education and moderate alcohol consumption may decrease risk. Dementia risk also increases with age and is thought to be higher in hypertensives. METHOD: we used data collected in the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial (HYVET), and cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at baseline and annually. Participants with a fall in MMSE to <24 or with a fall of 3 points in any 1 year were investigated further. The association of baseline sociodemographic, medical and lifestyle factors with incident dementia or decline in MMSE scores was assessed by regression models. RESULTS: incident dementia occurred in 263 of 3,336 participants over a mean follow-up of 2 years. In multivariate analyses, being underweight, BMI < 18.5 (HR 1.90, 95% CI 1.06-3.39) or obese, BMI >30 (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.24-2.72), increased risk of incident dementia as did piracetam use (HR 2.72, 95% CI 1.60-4.63). Receiving formal education was associated with a reduced risk (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.45-0.78). There was no association with smoking, alcohol and gender. Similar results were found when examining mean annual change in the MMSE score. DISCUSSION: our results for BMI and education agree with those from other studies. The increased risk associated with piracetam may reflect awareness of memory problems before any diagnosis of dementia has been made. Trial participants may be healthier than the general population and further studies in the general population are required.

Characteristics of the Chinese subjects entered the hypertension in the very elderly trial.

BACKGROUND: The baseline characteristics of patients in a multinational trial are possibly related to cardiovascular outcome. This study compared the baseline characteristics of patients recruited in China with those recruited in other countries. METHODS: A total of 508 Chinese hypertensive men and 728 women over the age of 80 years who entered the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial (HYVET) were compared with those in 860 men and 1348 women who entered the trial in other countries. RESULTS: The Chinese subjects were slightly younger, had less previous hypertension but more previous strokes than the subjects from other countries. The Chinese subjects smoked more than those from other countries, but drank less alcohol. They had less previous episodes of myocardial infarction and were, on average, lighter and shorter. The Chinese had lower mean concentrations of blood urea, uric acid and creatinine as well as higher concentrations of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The concentration of total cholesterol was, on average, lower in the Chinese subjects as was blood glucose. The levels of serum sodium and potassium, blood hematocrit and hemoglobin were all, on average, lower in the Chinese subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Calorie restriction, compared with the rest of the world, may have resulted in lower stature and weight, and recent increases in calorie intake have not changed the metabolic profile of the very elderly hypertensive patients in China. Some of these biochemical differences may reflect different dietary lifestyle in the Chinese.

[A cohort study on the predictive value of factors influencing cardio-cerebro vascular death among people over 40 years of age].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the factors influencing cardio-cerebro vascular death events among people over 40 years of age in Shandong area, China. METHODS: Baseline survey was carried out in 1991. A total number of 11,008 adults over 40 years old had been studied in Shandong province. Data on cardiocerebro death was collected. The correlation between influencing factors and cardio-cerebro vascular death events was analyzed by Cox regression model. RESULTS: Totally, 434 cardio-cerebro death events occurred among the 11,008 subjects during the 8-year follow-up study. Cardio-cerebro death events were related to systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, smoking, stroke history and age. Data from Cox regression analysis showed that the relative risk (RR) for cardio-cerebro vascular death events increased by 2.862 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.976-4.144] times for those people having stroke history. When systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure increased by every 10 mm Hg, the relative risk for cardio-cerebro vascular death events increased by 1.171 (95% CI: 1.033-1.328), 1.214 (95% CI: 1.044-1.413) respectively. it was found that a 1.239 (95% CI: 1.088-1.553) times higher in smokers than non-smokers on relative risk for cardio-cerebro vascular death events. However, the predictive values of the influencing factors for cardio-cerebro vascular death were different among population of different years of age. The relative risk for cardio-cerebro vascular death events increased by 1.366 (95% CI: 1.102-1.678) times for each 10 mm Hg increase of diastolic blood pressure in 40-59 years old population. However, the effect was taken place by systolic blood pressure in 60-74 years old population,with a relative risk of 1.201 (95% CI: 1.017-1.418) for each 10 mm Hg increase. Age seemed the only significant factor for cardio-cerebro vascular death events on population aged more than 75 years old. Conclusion The predictive values of the risk factors were different among age groups. The different risk factors should be taken care according to the difference of age.

[A study on K469E polymorphism of ICAM1 gene and ICAM1 plasma level in patients with coronary heart disease].

OBJECTIVE: To study the linkage between K469E polymorphism of intercellular adhesion molecule 1(ICAM1) gene with ICAM1 plasma level and coronary heart disease (CHD) in Han population of China. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-four controls without CHD and 160 patients with CHD were enrolled in our study. By nested PCR with allele-specific oligonucleotide primers, all patients and controls were genotyped for the ICAM1 polymorphism. And the ICAM1 plasma level was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: In the patients with CHD, both K allele frequency and the plasma level of ICAM1 were higher than those in control (P<0.05). The individual with K allele had higher plasma level of ICAM1 than that without K allele (344.34+/-128.59 microg/L vs 303.54+/-108.74 microg/L, P=0.008). K allele enhanced the risk of CHD (P<0.01, OR=2.158, 95%CI: 1.250-3.727). There was the K allele cooperation with smoking in influencing the risk of CHD. CONCLUSION: There is the polymorphism of ICAM1 K469E gene in Han population of China, and the K allele may be a genetic factor influencing the risk of CHD.

[Plasma activated coagulation factor VII and Msp I polymorphism in elderly patients with coronary heart disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of activated coagulation factor VII(F7a) and its gene Msp I polymorphism with coronary heart disease in elderly patients. METHODS: This was a case-control study, and the method of candidate gene was adopted. F7 genotypes were identified with polymerase chain reaction amplified genomic deoxyribonulieic acid (DNA) and Msp I restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, and the level of plasma F7a was detected with recombinant tissue factor method for 108 elderly patients with coronary heart disease and 120 sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects. RESULTS: (1) Plasma F7a levels was significantly higher in elderly patients with coronary heart disease than in healthy control subjects (2.88 +/- 0.62 vs 2.58 +/- 0.60 microg/L, P < 0.05), and was significantly higher in old myocardial infarction than in stable angina pectoris (3.12 +/- 0.62 vs 2.76 +/- 0.60, P < 0.05). F7a was shown to be a risk factor for coronary heart disease in elderly patients by Logistic regression analysis (OR=1.21 P < 0.05). (2) The allelic frequencies were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The results suggested that the distribution of genotype and allelic frequencies in the groups displayed no significant difference, and there was no difference between the subgroups of coronary heart disease in elderly patients, either (P > 0.05). (3) F7a level was significantly higher in RR genotype than in Q allele carriers (2.72 +/- 0.60 vs 1.98 +/- 0.59 microg/L, P < 0.05) and was associated with F7 gene polymorphism. CONCLUSION: Plasma F7a level may be an independent risk factor of coronary heart disease in elderly patients, and it may be influenced by the Msp I polymorphism of F7 gene.

Overweight influence on circadian variations of ambulatory blood pressure in Chinese adolescents.

Childhood obesity and its consequences have been the subject of intense interest in recent years. In this study we examined the influence of overweight on circadian variations of ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in Chinese adolescents. First, 24-hr ABP monitoring was performed in 252 adolescents divided into two groups with equivalent sex, age, and body height (49 girls and 77 boys in each group): controls (normal weight) were aged 13.68 +/- 1.21 years, height 165.37 +/- 9.45 cm, body mass index (BMI) 18.82 +/- 2.3; overweights (BMI > or = 24) were aged 13.71 +/- 1.23 years, height 165.75 +/- 9.47 cm, BMI 27.70 +/- 3.1. ABP recordings were treated by ABP database system and analyzed by cosinor method and conventional statistics methods. The circadian variations of ABP in adolescent patterned as "dipper" and circadian rhythmicity of ABP variations were confirmed by cosinor analysis in most adolescents of both groups. Significant statistical differences were found for rhythm parameters: the MESOR (midline estimate statistic of rhythm), peak, trough (the maximum and minimum values derived from the composed curves, respectively), and amplitude values between control and overweight groups. Significant higher values also were seen in the overweight group for most of ABP parameters (p < .01), such as, BP means (SBP, DBP, MAP: mean arterial pressure, or PP: pulse pressure), BP variability, BP loads and rate-pressure product (HR x SBP). Our results have shown that overweight influenced significantly on ABP and parameters derived from ABP recordings in Chinese adolescents, which suggests an increasing risk of cardiovascular diseases in overweight adolescents.

[The impact of gender factor on the candidate gene study of essential hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of gender factor on the candidate gene study of essential hypertension (EH). METHODS: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to analyze the ACE gene I/D polymorphism of hypertensive patients (50 men and 50 women) and normal controls (50 men and 50 women). The investigation was further focused on possible influence of sex proportion on the conclusion of this kind of research. RESULTS: The frequency of DD genotype in male hypertensive patients is significantly higher than that in male normal controls (chi(2) = 6.98, P = 0.004). The frequency of D allele in male EH group is significantly higher than that of male normal controls (chi(2) = 6.87, P = 0.009), while no significant difference was observed for II and ID genotype between male EH group and control group (P > 0.05). For female EH group and normal controls, there were no significant differences in frequency of genotype and allele (P > 0.05), the distribution ratio of DD genotype in male EH group is significantly different from that of female EH group (chi(2) = 4.06, P = 0.044). Furthermore, males with DD genotype in EH group had higher SBP and PP than that of males with II and ID genotype (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in DBP in all three genotypes (P > 0.05). At the same time, there was no difference in SBP, DBP and PP (P > 0.05) between II and ID genotype in male EH group. In female hypertensive patients, there was no significant difference in SBP, DBP and PP between all three genotypes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between DD genotype in male and EH (especially SBP and PP) is closer than any other genotype-EH relationships in both male and female. The gender factor, as a probable confounding factor, can affect many candidate gene studies of essential hypertension including ACE gene I/D polymorphism, and thus biases the conclusion.

[Relationship between fibrinogen B beta gene FGB -455G/A polymorphism and atherosclerotic cerebral infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution of fibrinogen (FGB) B beta polymorphism in Chinese Han population and the association of the polymorphisms with the occurrence of atherosclerotic cerebral infarction (ACI). METHODS: The B beta gene FGB -455G/A polymorphism was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in 132 patients with ACI and 148 healthy controls matching on age and sex. Turbidimetric assays were performed to measure the plasma fibrinogen levels of all cases. RESULTS: The plasma fibrinogen level in ACI group (3.42+/-0.52 g/L), was significantly higher than that in the controls (2.96+/-0.42g/L), P<0.001. The A allele was associated with the elevated plasma fibrinogen levels in both patients and controls. Among the A allele carriers, smokers had significantly higher plasma fibrinogen levels than did the non-smokers (P<0.05). The distribution of B beta gene FGB -455G/A polymorphism was in accordance with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05). The A allelic frequency in ACI group (0.258) was significantly higher than that in the control group (0.152) (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the cases carrying A allele (GA+AA genotype) had 1.653 times the risk of ACI. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that A allele of the B beta gene FGB -455G/A polymorphism may be a susceptible predictor of the occurrence of ACI, particularly in smokers.

Cortisol secretion in the elderly. Influence of age, sex and cardiovascular disease in a Chinese population.

Adrenal function and aging have been the object of intense interest in recent years. In this study we analyzed morning (08:00 h) serum cortisol concentrations from a sample of Chinese subjects aged from 31 to 110 years. These levels differed according to age, health status and sex, although the sex difference was confirmed only among the healthy elderly. These results suggest that age (older than 60 years), disease and male sex are associated with increased morning serum cortisol levels in a Chinese population.