Association study of fasting blood glucose and salt sensitivity of blood pressure in community population: The EpiSS study

Abstract

Background and aims: To evaluate the association between fasting blood glucose (FBG) and salt sensitivity of blood pressure (SSBP).

Methods and results: This study is based on the baseline survey of systemic epidemiology of salt sensitivity study. Subjects were classified into salt sensitive (SS) and salt resistant groups according to blood pressure (BP) changes during the modified Sullivan's acute oral saline load and diuresis shrinkage test. Multivariate logistic and linear regression were used to evaluate associations between FBG with SS or BP changes. A total of 2051 participants were included in the analyses with 581 (28.33%) for SS. Multiple analysis showed that for every interquartile range increase in FBG, the OR (95%CI) for SS was 1.140 (1.069, 1.215), β (95%CI) for mean arterial pressure change (ΔMAP₁), systolic and diastolic BP changes during saline load were 0.421 (0.221, 0.622), 0.589 (0.263, 0.914) and 0.340 (0.149, 0.531), respectively. Compared to the lowest FBG quartile (Q₁), the OR (95%CI) for SS in Q₃ and Q₄ were 1.342 (1.014, 1.776) and 1.577 (1.194, 2.084), respectively. Compared to subjects with normal FBG, the β (95%CI) for ΔMAP₁ was 0.973 (0.055, 1.891) in subjects with impaired FBG, and was 1.449 (0.602, 2.296) in patients with diabetes mellitus. Stratified analyses showed significant and stronger associations between FBG with SSBP in youngers, females, hypertensives, non-diabetics, non-current smokers and non-current drinkers.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest FBG is an independent, dose-dependent associated factor for SSBP, and prevention of SS focusing on controlling FBG elevation in the early stage is important.

Keywords: Blood pressure; Does–response association; Fasting blood glucose; Salt resistant; Salt sensitive.