Zhiheng Chen

Increased platelet volume in a general population with prehypertension: a cross-sectional study of 80 545 participants from China

Mean platelet volume (MPV), an indicator of platelet activation, has been shown to be elevated in patients with hypertension. However, data available on the association between MPV level and prehypertension are limited. Prehypertension is also associated with an increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A cross-sectional study was performed among 80 545 standardized medical checkup participants ⩾18 years in age without hypertension or diabetes in China between April 2009 and May 2010. Blood pressure was categorized as prehypertensive (systolic blood pressure, 120–140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure, 80 to 90 mm Hg, n=36 586) and normotensive (systolic blood pressure, <120 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure, <80 mm Hg, n=43 959). Mean systolic blood pressure and the prevalence of prehypertension increased significantly with increasing MPV. After adjusting for demographics, body mass index, smoking and serum cholesterol, the odds ratio for prehypertension, when comparing the highest category of MPV (>12.0 fl) with the lowest category (<10.1 fl), was 1.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.13; P for trend=0.014). This association persisted in separate analysis among men but not among women. In nonparametric models, the positive association between MPV and prehypertension appeared to be present across the full range of MPV, without any threshold effect. Increased MPV is associated with prehypertension in a large sample of Chinese adults that are free of cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

Low bone mineral density is associated with increased arterial stiffness in participants of a health records based study.

AIMS Many epidemiological studies have shown that low bone mineral density (BMD) and atherosclerosis appear to be related. However, their precise correlation is not completely understood after full adjustment the shared confounders of atherosclerosis and bone metabolism. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between BMD and subclinical atherosclerosis in a healthy Chinese population and the difference in gender. METHODS The study population consisted of 2,487 subjects (1,467 men, 1,020 women) who participated in health check-up programs and were selected to be free of major diseases which might affect atherosclerosis and bone metabolism. Bone status was assessed by BMD in lumbar spine. The brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) was assessed as a functional marker of atherosclerosis. The ankle-brachial index (ABI), carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGRF) and microalbuminuria were evaluated as indexes of structural markers of atherosclerosis. RESULTS After adjustment for risk factors, significant association was shown between baPWV and BMD in both genders (male: r=-0.084, P=0.035; female: r=-0.088, P=0.014). The correlation was stronger in females than in males, and in females, the correlation was stronger after menopause. Similarly, mean baPWV differed significantly according to the decreased BMD (normal BMD, Osteopenia, Osteoporosis). In contrast, no significant differences were observed for ABI, CIMT, eGFR or microalbuminuria with BMD. CONCLUSIONS Independent of confounding factors, low BMD is associated with the functional marker of subclinical atherosclerosis (increased baPWV), but not with structural markers (ABI, CIMT, eGFR or microalbuminuria) among healthy females and males.

Metabolic Syndrome and Risk of Cervical Human Papillomavirus Incident and Persistent Infection

AbstractFew studies have been conducted on the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) incidence and persistent infection.We performed a prospective cohort study including 8598 female employees in Hunan, China. First, the subjects were stratified into HPV-negative (N = 7282) and HPV-positive (N = 1316) subgroups, according to the results of an HPV DNA test at baseline. Second, comparisons of the risks of HPV incident and persistent infection between MetS-positive (exposed) and MetS-negative (unexposed) groups were conducted among the HPV-negative and -positive subgroups, respectively.There were 976 (11.39%) subjects diagnosed with MetS and 1316 subjects diagnosed with HPV infection at baseline. The 12-month cumulative incidence of any type of HPV and high-risk type HPV were 7.28% (530/7282) and 6.26% (456/7282), respectively. Obesity was a modifier of the association between MetS and HPV incident infection. As long as obesity presented, MetS and hypertriglyceridemia were significantly associated with an increased risk of HPV incident infection (any-type or high-risk type) (adjusted risk ratios (RR) were 2.88 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16, 7.19) and 3.29 (95% CI: 1.47, 7.38), respectively). Among those infected with HPV at baseline, the 12-month type-specific persistence rates were 51.67% and 53.38% for any-type and high-risk type HPV, respectively. No interaction was found between obesity and MetS with regard to the risk of HPV persistence. After adjustment for confounding factors, MetS was still associated with increased risk of any-type HPV persistence (RRadj = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.41) and high-risk type HPV persistence (RRadj = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.46). No single metabolic component was associated with the risk of HPV persistence.The prevalence of MetS was 11.39% among the Hunan female occupational population. MetS was associated with an increased risk of persistent cervical HPV infection and also with an increased risk of HPV incident infection when obesity presented as well.

Duration of reproductive lifespan and age at menarche in relation to metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal Chinese women

This study aimed to assess the associations between menstrual characteristics and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Analysis of pulmonary function test results in a health check-up population.

BACKGROUND To explore the incidences of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obstructive ventilatory dysfunction, and obstructive small airway disease and their risk factors in a health check-up population, with an attempt to inform the early diagnosis and treatment of COPD. METHODS Subjects who aged 20 years and older and received health check-up in the Health Management Center, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from June 2013 to June 2015 were enrolled in this study. The results of detection and survey for COPD, obstructive ventilatory dysfunction, and obstructive small airway disease were analyzed. RESULTS Among 6,811 subjects enrolled in this study, the detection rate of COPD, obstructive ventilator dysfunction, and obstructive small airway disease was 0.8%, 2.6%, and 4.0%, respectively, which showed a positive correlation with male gender, age, and smoking index. CONCLUSIONS Health check-up is an important approach for screening COPD, obstructive ventilator dysfunction, and obstructive small airway disease. Smoking cessation and controlling of relevant risk factors are helpful to lower the incidences of these conditions.