Yu-Ting Wei1, Yu-Tsung Chou1, Yi-Ching Yang2, Chieh-Ying Chou1, Feng-Hwa Lu2, Chih-Jen Chang2, Jin-Shang Wu3. 1. Department of Family Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, No.138, Sheng Li Road, Tainan, 70403, Taiwan. 2. Department of Family Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, No.138, Sheng Li Road, Tainan, 70403, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1 University Road, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan. 3. Department of Family Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, No.138, Sheng Li Road, Tainan, 70403, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1 University Road, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan. Electronic address: jins@mail.ncku.edu.tw.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Betel nut chewing is associated with certain cardiovascular outcomes. Subclinical atherosclerosis may be one link between betel nut chewing and cardiovascular risk. Few studies have examined the association between chewing betel nut and arterial stiffness. The aim of this study was thus to determine the relationship between betel nut chewing and arterial stiffness in a Taiwanese population. METHODS: We enrolled 7540 eligible subjects in National Cheng Kung University Hospital from October 2006 to August 2009. The exclusion criteria included history of cerebrovascular events, coronary artery disease, and taking lipid-lowering drugs, antihypertensives, and hypoglycemic agents. Increased arterial stiffness was defined as brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) ≥1400cm/s. According to their habit of betel nut use, the subjects were categorized into non-, ex-, and current chewers. RESULTS: The prevalence of increased arterial stiffness was 32.7, 43.3, and 43.2% in non-, ex- and current chewers, respectively (p=0.011). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that ex-chewers (odds ratio [OR] 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.08-2.65) and current chewers (OR 2.29, 95% CI=1.05-4.99) had elevated risks of increased arterial stiffness after adjustment for co-variables. CONCLUSIONS: Both ex- and current betel nut chewing were associated with a higher risk of increased arterial stiffness. Stopping betel nut chewing may thus potentially be beneficial to reduce cardiovascular risk, based on the principals of preventive medicine.
BACKGROUND: Betel nut chewing is associated with certain cardiovascular outcomes. Subclinical atherosclerosis may be one link between betel nut chewing and cardiovascular risk. Few studies have examined the association between chewing betel nut and arterial stiffness. The aim of this study was thus to determine the relationship between betel nut chewing and arterial stiffness in a Taiwanese population. METHODS: We enrolled 7540 eligible subjects in National Cheng Kung University Hospital from October 2006 to August 2009. The exclusion criteria included history of cerebrovascular events, coronary artery disease, and taking lipid-lowering drugs, antihypertensives, and hypoglycemic agents. Increased arterial stiffness was defined as brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) ≥1400cm/s. According to their habit of betel nut use, the subjects were categorized into non-, ex-, and current chewers. RESULTS: The prevalence of increased arterial stiffness was 32.7, 43.3, and 43.2% in non-, ex- and current chewers, respectively (p=0.011). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that ex-chewers (odds ratio [OR] 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.08-2.65) and current chewers (OR 2.29, 95% CI=1.05-4.99) had elevated risks of increased arterial stiffness after adjustment for co-variables. CONCLUSIONS: Both ex- and current betel nut chewing were associated with a higher risk of increased arterial stiffness. Stopping betel nut chewing may thus potentially be beneficial to reduce cardiovascular risk, based on the principals of preventive medicine.
Authors: Tsai-Tung Chiu; Tien-Lung Tsai; Mei-Yin Su; Tsan Yang; Peng-Lin Tseng; Yau-Jiunn Lee; Chao-Hsien Lee Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-01-04 Impact factor: 3.390