Ruru Liu1, Baibing Mi2, Yaling Zhao2, Qiang Li2, Hong Yan3, Shaonong Dang4. 1. Xi'an JiaoTong University, Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; Xi'an Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. 2. Xi'an JiaoTong University, Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. 3. Xi'an JiaoTong University, Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. Electronic address: yanhonge@mail.xjtu.edu.cn. 4. Xi'an JiaoTong University, Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. Electronic address: tjdshn@mail.xjtu.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In western populations, a higher level of dietary B vitamins intake has been associated with a lower risk of hypertension. However, data in Chinese is limited, whose B vitamins consumption is low and rates of hypertension are high. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate whether the three B vitamins are associated with hypertension in rural Chinese. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey among 2241 rural Chinese aged 18-80 years was conducted in northwestern China in 2010. Blood pressure was measured by trained medical staff and dietary nutrients were assessed with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: 592 cases of hypertension were newly diagnosed. The deficiency proportions were 20.5% for vitamin B-6, 43.9% for folate and 98.5% for B-12. For females, participants in the highest quartile of B-6 intake had a significantly lower risk of hypertension (OR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.50-0.93; p for trend <0.05). For males, the multivariable OR for the same comparison was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.56-0.99, p for trend >0.05). No significant associations were observed between B-12, folate intake and hypertension. For females, the highest quartile of both folate and B-6 intake was associated with a reduced risk of hypertension (OR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.29-0.89), compared with in the middle quartile of both vitamins. CONCLUSIONS: Higher intake of vitamin B-6 is independently associated with lower risk of hypertension in Chinese rural adults. Among females with high folate intake, the association between B-6 and hypertension was strongest. Additional studies are warrant to establish the causal inference.
BACKGROUND: In western populations, a higher level of dietary B vitamins intake has been associated with a lower risk of hypertension. However, data in Chinese is limited, whose B vitamins consumption is low and rates of hypertension are high. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate whether the three B vitamins are associated with hypertension in rural Chinese. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey among 2241 rural Chinese aged 18-80 years was conducted in northwestern China in 2010. Blood pressure was measured by trained medical staff and dietary nutrients were assessed with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: 592 cases of hypertension were newly diagnosed. The deficiency proportions were 20.5% for vitamin B-6, 43.9% for folate and 98.5% for B-12. For females, participants in the highest quartile of B-6 intake had a significantly lower risk of hypertension (OR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.50-0.93; p for trend <0.05). For males, the multivariable OR for the same comparison was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.56-0.99, p for trend >0.05). No significant associations were observed between B-12, folate intake and hypertension. For females, the highest quartile of both folate and B-6 intake was associated with a reduced risk of hypertension (OR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.29-0.89), compared with in the middle quartile of both vitamins. CONCLUSIONS: Higher intake of vitamin B-6 is independently associated with lower risk of hypertension in Chinese rural adults. Among females with high folate intake, the association between B-6 and hypertension was strongest. Additional studies are warrant to establish the causal inference.