Urinary sodium/potassium ratio and prevalence of hypertension in two communities of different historical origin in Ohshima Island, Nagasaki, Japan

Urinary Na/K ratios and prevalence of hypertension were compared in two communities on the Ohshima Island, Nagasaki, Japan. The western area consisted of agricultural‐fishery community while the eastern area was a migrant/ex‐mining community. A subsistence agricultural‐fishery lifestyle was still seen in parts of the western community, while people of the eastern area were mostly consumers of purchased food. Urinary Na/K ratio was higher in the eastern area than in the western area in both men (5.2 vs 4.2) and women (4.8 vs 4.4). Since both population groups shared the same physical environment, the results suggest that the historical background of the communities influenced food habits including sodium and potassium intake. However, the hypertensive rates did not differ between the areas. Our results suggest that the prevalence of hypertension in both communities could reach a plateau at a given urinary Na/K ratios.

Key words:

• Sodium
• potassium
• urinary Na/K ratio
• prevalence of hypertension
• food habits
• community health

Notes

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