Relationship between lifestyle factors and hypertension: a cross-sectional analysis from the Gubbio study

Abstract

Background

Hypertension (HTN) is a well-established and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle behaviours for its prevention and control are recommended within worldwide guidelines. Their relationship with HTN need more investigations.

Aim

We aimed to investigate the associations between lifestyle, anthropometric and biological measurements and BP in the Gubbio residential study.

Methods

Cross-sectional analyses were performed using data from Gubbio study. Information concerning lifestyle factors were collected using self-reported questionnaire and were further completed with a baseline clinical examination and blood exams. Three BP measurements were performed following a standard protocol. Age-adjusted and multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine the relationships between lifestyle parameters and HTN separately for each sex. We used heterogeneity test to observe sex differences.

Results

There were 3,183 persons included (48% men, 43 ± 17 years old). Mean systolic BP (SBP) was 119 ± 16 mmHg and 10.6% were hypertensives. Age [OR: 129.70 (95%CI: 18.57–905.79) in women and OR: 8.37 (95%CI: 4.01–17.48) (p < 0.0001) in men] and BMI [OR: 2.14 (95%CI: 1.32–3.46) (p = 0.006) in women and OR: 1.81 (95%CI: 1.05–3.12), p = 0.03 in men], were positively associated with SBP in both sexes. Serum uric acid [OR: 3.86 (95%CI: 2.03–7.26), p = 0.04] was positively associated with HTN in women while fasting blood glucose [OR: 3.04 (95%CI: 1.55–5.97), p < 0.001] were associated to HTN only in men.

Discussion

In addition to age, BMI is associated with HTN in both sexes while sex differences were observed in the associations between serum uric acid, fasting blood glucose and HTN.

Keywords:

• Blood pressure
• hypertension
• prevention
• sex difference

Acknowledgments

The present investigation was undertaken in the context of a PhD Thesis at the University of Caen-Normandie, France, and the analysis was undertaken at the Department of Pharmacology, CHU, Caen, France, after authorization and approval by Centro Studi Epidemiologici di Gubbio (CeSEG) as of 20 January 2017, under the auspices of the Italian Authority for Privacy. The authors acknowledge the role of the CeSEG President Dr. Martino Laurenzi and of the Gubbio citizens.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.