Prevalence and risk factors for isolated systolic hypertension among the oldest‐old population in southwestern China: A community‐based cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Abstract The prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) has doubled between 2002−2005 and 2014 among the oldest‐old population in China. However, the prevalence and characteristics of ISH among the oldest‐old population in southwestern China remain less known. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of ISH among the oldest‐old population in Chengdu and identify associated factors to provide valuable information for disease etiology and prevention. We recruited 1,312 participants aged over 80 years by using a stratified cluster sampling method between September 2015 and June 2016, from three districts (Jinjiang, Qingyang, and Longquanyi) of Chengdu, the largest city of southwest China. A structured questionnaire, anthropometric data, and blood pressure were collected according to the standard method. Blood pressure was measured three times by using a standardized mercury sphygmomanometer after a 10‐minute seated rest. Of 1312 participants, 53.0% (n = 695) had ISH. The prevalence of ISH in men and women was 54.7% and 51.3%, respectively, with no significant sex difference (P = .222). The prevalence of ISH increased with advanced age in men (P for trend = 0.029), 52.5% for the 80−84 years group, 55.2% for the 85−89 years group, and 70.4% for the 90–98 years group, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analyses found that drinking (OR = 1.85, 95%CI = 1.26−2.71), being overweight (OR = 1.88, 95%CI = 1.19−2.96), and having a higher heart rate (OR = 0.66, 95%CI = 0.51−0.86) were associated with ISH. Stratified by sex, these three factors remained significant in men. Our work highlights that the burden of ISH is substantial among the oldest‐old population in southwestern China.

Keywords

• cross‐sectional study
• isolated systolic hypertension
• prevalence
• the oldest‐old