Elevated blood pressure in adolescent boys predicts endothelial dysfunction: the cardiovascular risk in young Finns study

Hypertension is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. It may cause or be a consequence of endothelial dysfunction. We studied whether systolic blood pressure measured in childhood and adolescence predicts endothelial-dependent brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in adulthood. Brachial FMD was measured in 2109 white adults, aged 24 to 39 years, in the 21-year follow-up of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. These subjects have risk factor data available dating back to their childhood (baseline in 1980, ages 3 to 18 years). In male subjects, the level of systolic blood pressure measured in adolescence (at ages 12 to 18 years at baseline) was inversely related to adulthood FMD (P=0.004). This association was independent of brachial diameter and other childhood (P=0.003) and adulthood risk factors, including blood pressure (P=0.03). Childhood (age 3 to 9 years at baseline) systolic blood pressure did not correlate with adult FMD in men or in women (P always >0.2). In male subjects, elevated systolic blood pressure in adolescence predicts impaired brachial endothelial function 21 years later in adulthood. This association is independent of other childhood and adulthood cardiovascular risk factors suggesting that blood pressure elevation in adolescence may have an influence on biological processes that regulate endothelium-dependent flow-mediated vasodilatation capacity.     

Fat distribution,physical activity and cardiovascular risk among adolescent girls

Background and aimsIt is not clear whether changes in waist circumference (WC), sums of skinfold thickness (SSF), or levels of physical activity (PA) during adolescence are associated with cardiovascular risk factors, or if associations are independent or interactive.Methods and resultsIn a US cohort of adolescent girls (n = 617–904) girls, examined at ages 12 and 14, WC, SSF, PA, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP & DBP) were assessed. Fasting blood samples were used to determine concentrations of triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (TC), high and low density lipoproteins (HDL-C and LDL-C), and apolipoprotein A1 and B (Apo-A1 and Apo-B). After adjustment for change in SSF and PA, increases in WC were associated with change in TG (z = 1.73, 95% CI = 0.77, 2.69), TC (z = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.90), HDL-C (z = ?0.18, 95% CI = ?0.37, ?0.01), LDL-C (z = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.80), Apo-A1 (z = ?0.52, 95% CI = ?1.02, ?0.02), Apo-B (z = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.24, 0.97) and SBP levels (z = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.15, 0.47). Associations between changes in SSF and PA with cardiovascular risk were eliminated after adjustment for WC, and all interactions between WC, SSF and PA were non-significant at conventional levels.ConclusionsChanges in WC were independently associated with the development of cardiovascular risk factors, whereas changes in SSF and PA were not. Clinicians should consider the routine screening of WC to monitor cardiovascular health in adolescent girls.     

Prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls in the urban slums of Vellore, south India

A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of anaemia among unmarried, adolescent south Indian girls in an urban slum setting. A total of 100 apparently healthy girls between the ages of 11 and 18 years were recruited. Their socioeconomic, dietary and anthropometric information was collected, and blood haemoglobin (Hb) was estimated. The prevalence of anaemia (Hb < 12 g%) was 29%. Most had mild anaemia; severe anaemia was not seen. Two-thirds of those with anaemia had low serum ferritin (<12 microg/L). Significant associations were observed between anaemia and low socioeconomic status, religion and reporting infrequent/non-consumption of meat (heme iron). Only meat consumption was related to haemoglobin by multiple regression analysis. Anaemia is a common problem among adolescent girls in this setting, though severe anaemia is rare. There is a need to improve their haemoglobin status through dietary modification along with preventive supplementation and nutrition education.     

Maternal versus paternal orphans and HIV/STI risk among adolescent girls in Zimbabwe

The AIDS epidemic has contributed to a drastic increase in the number of orphans in Zimbabwe. Orphans (whether orphaned by AIDS or other causes) have been shown to have economic and educational disadvantages as well as poor reproductive health outcomes. We recruited a convenience sample of 200 girls in a peri-urban area of Zimbabwe to examine the impact of orphan status (compared to non-orphans) on household composition, education, risk behaviour, pregnancy and prevalent HIV and HSV-2 infection. In our population, maternal orphans were more likely to be in households headed by themselves or a sibling, to be sexually active, to have had an STI, to have been pregnant and to be infected with HIV. Paternal orphans were more likely to have ever been homeless and to be out of school. Our findings suggest that maternal care and support is important for HIV prevention. This finding corroborates previous research in Zimbabwe and has implications for intervention strategies among orphan girls.     

Long-term ambient air pollution exposure and risk of high blood pressure among citizens in Nis,Serbia

Epidemiological studies suggest that long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk for high blood pressure (BP). The aim of our study is to evaluate any effects in BP in citizens exposed to long-term ambient air pollution. The subjects are 1136 citizens, aged 18–70 years, living for more than 5 years in the same home in the areas with a different level of air pollution. The air concentrations of black smoke and sulfur dioxide were determined in the period from 2001 to 2011. We measured systolic and diastolic BP and heart rate. Multivariate methods were used in the analysis. Alcohol consumption had the greatest influence on the incidence of hypertension as a risk factor (RR: 3.461; 95% CI: 1.72–6.93) and age had the least (RR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.183–1.92). Exposure to air pollution increases risk for developing hypertension 2.5 times (95% CI: 1.46–4.49). Physical activity has proved to be statistically significant protective factor for the development of hypertension. Long-term exposure to low levels of main air pollutants is significantly associated with elevated risk of hypertension.     

Ambulatory monitoring predicts development of drug-treated hypertension in subjects with high normal blood pressure

BACKGROUND: High normal blood pressure (HNBP), i.e. blood pressure (BP) > or = 130/85 mmHg and <140/90 mmHg, is an important predictor of progression to established hypertension. DESIGN: The purpose of this retrospective study was the evaluation of the predictive value of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) for the development of drug-treated hypertension in subjects with HNBP and other risk factors. METHODS: We studied 127 subjects (69 M, 58 F, age 50 +/- 14 years): 59 subjects had normal BP (NBP: < 130/85 mmHg), 68 subjects had systolic and/or diastolic HNBP. All the subjects underwent ABPM. There were 21/68 (30.9%) subjects in the HNBP group vs. 1/59 (1.7%) in the NBP group with an elevated (>135/85 mmHg) daytime ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) (p < 0.01). RESULTS: After an average follow-up of 103 +/- 28 months, 27 subjects (39.7%) in the HNBP group and 4 subjects (6.8%) in the NBP group developed drug-treated hypertension (p < 0.01). An elevated daytime ABP correctly predicted development of drug-treated hypertension in 17/21 subjects (81%) of the HNBP group and in the only subject of the NBP group. Development of drug-treated hypertension was associated with higher office and ambulatory BP (p < 0.01) and pulse pressures (p < 0.05), longer follow-up (p < 0.05) and higher prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia and smoking (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that ABPM correctly predicts development of drug-treated hypertension in most subjects who were identified early as having a daytime mean ABP >135/85 mmHg. ABPM appears to be a useful clinical tool in the early diagnosis of hypertension in subjects with metabolic risk factors and smoking.     

Serum calcium and blood pressure in Greek girls

In a random sample of 492 girls 12-15-years-old total serum calcium appeared to be correlated with blood pressure. Adolescents with total serum calcium equal to a greater than the cohort mean (2.5 mmol/l) had higher systolic blood pressures than those with a value below the cohort mean. This was present at all ages.     

Combined exercise training reduces blood pressure,arterial stiffness,and insulin resistance in obese prehypertensive adolescent girls

Childhood obesity is strongly linked to pathological processes for cardiovascular diseases in later adulthood. Obese adolescent girls with high blood pressure (BP) are reported to have increased arterial stiffness, which is associated with the development of hypertension and atherosclerosis. The present study sought to examine the impact of combined resistance and aerobic exercise (CRAE) training on BP, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), insulin resistance (IR), and body composition in obese prehypertensive girls. Forty girls (age, 15 ± 1 years; systolic BP, 132 ± 2 mmHg, diastolic BP, 80 ± 5 mmHg) were randomly assigned to either a combined exercise (EX, n = 20) or no exercise group (CON, n = 20). The EX group performed CRAE for 12 weeks, 3 times per week. BP, baPWV, blood nitrite/nitrate, endothelin-1 (ET-1), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and body composition were measured before and after the exercise intervention. BP (?-7.3 ± 2.67 mmHg), baPWV (?-1.23 ± 0.49 m/s), ET-1 (?-14.35 ± 1.76 μmol/mL), nitrite/nitrate (?0.5 ± 0.09 μM), HOMA-IR (?-1.4 ± 0.07), percent body fat (?-1.35 ± 0.9%), and waist circumference were significantly improved (P < 0.05) in the EX group after 12 weeks of training versus the CON group. These findings indicate that 12 weeks of CRAE improves BP, HOMA-IR, and arterial stiffness and reduces central adiposity in obese adolescent girls with prehypertension. Thus, this study provides evidence that CRAE can be a useful therapeutic treatment for high BP, IR, and central adiposity, thereby reducing the likelihood of pathological development for cardiovascular diseases in later adulthood.     

Changes in calcium kinetics in adolescent girls induced by high calcium intake

To identify the mechanism/s whereby calcium retention is increased by calcium intake in adolescent girls, kinetic studies were performed using stable calcium isotope tracers. Girls (n = 10; 12 +/- 1 yr old, mean +/- SD) were studied while on a controlled diet containing a low (21.2 mmol/day) and a high (47.4 mmol/day) calcium intake, in randomized order, using a cross-over design. Studies were separated by 1 month. Calcium tracers were administered after 1 week on the study diet, orally and iv; and serum, urine, and feces were collected for the following 14 days. Tracers were measured using fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, and kinetic data were analyzed by compartmental modeling. Biochemical markers of bone turnover were measured in serum and urine samples. On high (compared with low) calcium intake, fractional absorption did not differ, absorbed calcium increased (19.6 +/- 7.5 vs. 8.0 +/- 2.5 mmol/day, mean +/- SD, P: < 0.001), calcium excreted in urine increased (2.8 +/- 1.7 vs. 2.1 +/- 1.1 mmol/day, P: < 0.01), calcium retained in bone increased (14.5 +/- 8.9 vs. 3.2 +/- 3.6 mmol/day, P: < 0.001), bone formation did not change, and bone resorption decreased by 32%. These changes, measured by kinetics, were corroborated by changes in markers of bone turnover. We conclude that increased bone retention of calcium, with high calcium intake in adolescent girls, is attributable to an increase in absorption and a decrease in bone resorption.     

Burden of increased blood glucose due to modifiable risk factors among men in India

Background and aimsWorldwide, many diabetes cases are occurring mainly due to lifestyle risk factors. Hence, to quantify and compare the attributable burden of key modifiable risk factors associated with increased Blood Glucose (BG) among Indian states and districts.MethodsThe study used the National Family Health Survey (2015–16) data to estimate Population Attributable Risk (PAR) for increased BG (>140 mg/dl) among men aged 15–54 years in 640 districts of 36 States/Union Territories (UTs), India. We have considered three key modifiable factors such as high Body Mass Index (BMI), use of tobacco and alcohol. Population Attributable Risk techniques were employed to address the attributable burden of increased blood glucose due to modifiable risk factors.ResultsSubstantial variations were found in the burden of increased BG due to high BMI, alcohol and tobacco use in India. The overall burden of increased BG due to high BMI, tobacco and alcohol in India was 28.5%, 2.1% and 6.4%, respectively. Regional variations in BG were found in high BMI, tobacco and alcohol consumption groups. The high burden of increased BG related to the above key modifiable risk factors mostly seen in North-Eastern’ districts due to alcohol, Southern and Northern’ districts was due to high BMI. However, the higher burden due to tobacco was reported in Central, Eastern and North-Eastern’ districts.ConclusionThree modifiable risk factors are contributing significantly to increased BG among men. Since there are regional differences in their contributions, state/district, specific targeted interventions may be necessary to control increased BG among men in India.     

Dieting in Spanish adolescent girls

This article examines the relation between dieting and non‐dieting adolescent girls and body mass index (BMI), eating attitudes and the influence of the aesthetic body shape model. Three hundred forty‐nine Spanish adolescent girls in their second year of secondary education were selected. The research design was a cross‐sectional ex post facto study and validated measures were used to assess the main variables. Fourteen per cent of the sample was on a diet. Of this group, 69% were overweight, 70% had disordered eating attitudes and 70% were influenced by the current aesthetic body shape model. In all situations, the scores for dieters were significantly higher than those for non‐dieters. Although there is not yet any clear consensus with regards to how adolescents interpret the term ‘diet’, the results indicate major differences between dieters and non‐dieters and that those who self‐report that they are on a diet present elements of the risk of developing eating and weight disorders. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.     

加强降压和血压变异性对高血压高危患者心血管事件的长期影响

目的观察加强降压治疗较常规治疗能否进一步降低高血压高危患者心脑血管事件的发生率,以及长期随诊血压变异性是否为心血管事件的危险因素。方法将763例患者随机进入强化治疗组（382例）和对照组（381例）。记录第4周、3个月、6个月及此后每6个月的血压值及主要终点事件。结果在平均4．5年随访期间,强化治疗组平均收缩压／舒张压为（133．8±6．6）／（79．7±5．5）mmHg,明显低于对照组[（151．7±12．7）／（87．7±8．0）mmHg,P〈0．001]。强化治疗组随诊收缩压和舒张压的标准差（SD）及收缩压和舒张压的变异系数（CV）均明显低于对照组。与对照组相比,强化治疗组的主要终点事件降低78％,致死和非致死性中风减少72％,总死亡率和心血管病死亡率分别降低64％和82％（P均〈0．001）。Cox回归分析显示年龄、最终收缩压和舒张压、收缩压和舒张压的标准差是终点事件发生的危险因素。结论强化降压治疗使血压降至132／80mmHg左右时可以显著地降低高血压高危患者心脑血管病事件的发病率和死亡率;长期随诊的血压变异性是高血压高危患者心脑血管病事件的危险因素。     

Geographical variations in AIDS knowledge and attitude among adolescent girls of Jamaica.

This article examines geographical differences in AIDS knowledge and attitudes. Data from a survey of 900 adolescent girls in the Caribbean nation of Jamaica indicate significant differences across geography in AIDS knowledge and attitude. Adolescent girls in more central areas have access to different and more sources of information than those in more remote areas. They are also more likely to know persons with AIDS, be more knowledgeable about the clinical manifestations of AIDS, and be more realistic in assessing their susceptibility of HIV. The implications of geographical differences for AIDS education efforts are discussed.     

Body adiposity is associated with risk of high blood pressure in Portuguese schoolchildren

Objective

The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP) and its association with anthropometric indicators of adiposity in Portuguese schoolchildren.

Reproducibility study of nocturnal blood pressure dipping in patients with high cardiovascular risk

It has been shown that in most people there is a physiological reduction in blood pressure during nighttime sleep, it falling by approximately 10% compared to daytime values (dippers). On the other hand, in some people, there is no nighttime reduction (non‐dippers). Various studies have found an association between being a non‐dipper and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, but few have assessed whether the nocturnal pattern is maintained over time. From the database of the TAHPS study, data were available on 225 patients, each of whom underwent 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) on four occasions over a period of 5 months. We studied the reproducibility of the nocturnal BP dipping pattern with mixed linear analysis and also calculated the concordance in the classification of patients as dippers or non‐dippers. The intraclass correlation coefficients between the different ABPM recordings were 0.482 and 0.467 for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively. Two‐thirds (67%) and 70% of the patients classified, respectively, as dippers or non‐dippers based on systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings in the first ABPM recording were found to have the same classification based on the subsequent recordings. We conclude that the reproducibility of nocturnal dipping patterns and concordance of dipper vs non‐dipper status in individual patients is modest and therefore that we should be cautious about recommending treatments or interventions based on these patterns.     

Epidemiology of high blood pressure

Experience in isolated "unacculturated" societies suggests that age-related changes in blood pressure are not a biologic necessity. In the developed world, however, blood pressure tends to rise progressively with increasing age, and hypertension in the elderly is an extremely common finding. Blood pressure is positively related to the risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease in elderly persons, as in younger persons, in a graded continuous fashion. Based on prevalence and risk considerations, high blood pressure in the elderly population is one of the most pressing individual and public health problems of this century.