Elevated baseline biomarkers (≥2 vs 0) were associated with increased incident hypertension (9.9 vs 4.5 per 100 person-years), with CRP, PAI-1, and UACR being significant predictors (P=0.002).
Cohort (n=1,456)
Does baseline elevation of multiple biomarkers predict incident hypertension in nonhypertensive individuals?
Biomarkers of inflammation, reduced fibrinolytic potential, and low-grade albuminuria are jointly associated with the incidence of hypertension, suggesting abnormalities in multiple biological pathways antedate overt hypertension.
Absolute Event Rate: 9.9% vs 4.5%
p-value: p=0.002
An understanding of mechanisms underlying the development of essential hypertension is critical for designing prevention and treatment strategies. Selected biomarkers may be elevated before the onset of hypertension, but previous studies are limited by cross-sectional designs or a focus on single biomarkers. We prospectively studied 1456 nonhypertensive individuals who had baseline measurement of 9 biomarkers: C-reactive protein (inflammation); fibrinogen (inflammation and thrombosis); plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (fibrinolytic potential); aldosterone, renin, B-type natriuretic peptide, and N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide (neurohormonal activity); homocysteine (renal function and oxidant stress); and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (glomerular endothelial function). Incident hypertension, defined as blood pressure > or =140/90 mm Hg or antihypertensive therapy, developed in 232 participants over a mean follow-up of 3 years. After adjustment for clinical risk factors, the biomarker panel was significantly associated with incident hypertension (P=0.002). Three (of 9) biomarkers were significantly related to incident hypertension on backward elimination (multivariable-adjusted odds ratios, per SD increment in biomarker): C-reactive protein (1.26; 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.51), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (1.28; 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.57), and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (1.21; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.43). The incidence of hypertension was 4.5, 6.4, and 9.9 per 100 person years for participants with 0, 1, and > or=2 elevated biomarkers, respectively (elevation defined as > or =1 SD above the mean). The threshold of > or =2 elevated biomarkers for predicting hypertension was associated with high specificity (0.92) but low sensitivity (0.15). Biomarkers of inflammation, reduced fibrinolytic potential, and low-grade albuminuria are jointly associated with the incidence of hypertension. These data support the premise that abnormalities in multiple biological pathways antedate the onset of overt hypertension.
Wang et al. (Tue,) conducted a cohort in Nonhypertensive (n=1,456). Elevated biomarkers (≥2) vs. 0 elevated biomarkers was evaluated on Incident hypertension (blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg or antihypertensive therapy) (p=0.002). Elevated baseline biomarkers (≥2 vs 0) were associated with increased incident hypertension (9.9 vs 4.5 per 100 person-years), with CRP, PAI-1, and UACR being significant predictors (P=0.002).