Nigerian Population Research on Environment,Gene and Health (NIPREGH)-objectives and protocol

Sub-Saharan Africa is currently undergoing an epidemiological transition from a disease burden largely attributable to communicable diseases to that resulting from a combination of both communicable and chronic non-communicable diseases.Data on chronic disease incidence,lifestyle,environmental and genetic risk factors are sparse in this region.This report aimed at providing relevant information in respect to risk factors that increase blood pressure and lead to development of intermediate cardiovascular phenotypes.We presented the rationale,objectives and key methodological features of the Nigerian Population Research on Environment,Gene and Health（NIPREGH） study.The challenges encountered in carrying out population study in this part of the world and the approaches at surmounting them were also presented.The preliminary data as at 20 November 2013 showed that out of the 205 individuals invited starting from early April 2013,160（72 women） consented and were enrolled;giving a response rate of 78%.Participants＇ age ranged from 18 to 80 years,with a mean（SD） of 39.8（12.4） years and they were of 34 different ethnic groups spread over 24 states out of the 36 states that constitute Nigeria.The mean（SD） of office and home blood pressures were 113.0（15.2） mm Hg systolic,73.5（12.5） mm Hg diastolic and 117.3（15.0） mm Hg systolic,and 76.0（9.6） mm Hg diastolic,respectively.Forty-three（26.8%） participants were hypertensive and 8（5.0%） were diabetic.In addition to having the unique potential of recruiting a cohort that is a true representative of the entire Nigerian population,NIPREGH is feasible and the objectives realisable.

Sex modification of the association of the radial augmentation index and incident hypertension in a Chinese community-based population

BACKGROUND Arterial stiffness,as assessed by aortic ultrasound and pulse wave velocity,is associated with incident hypertension.However,there is still no consensus on whether the augmentation index(AI)affects new onset of hypertension.This study investigated the relationship of radial AI(r AI)and incident hypertension in a Chinese community-based population without hypertension at baseline.METHOD A total of 1,615 Chinese non-hypertensive participants from an atherosclerosis cohort in Beijing,China were included in our analysis.Baseline r AI normalized to heart rate of 75 beats/min(r AIp75)was obtained using HEM-9000 AI.New-onset hypertension was defined as blood pressure≥140/90 mm Hg or self-reported hypertension or taking anti-hypertensive medications at the follow up survey.Multivariate regression models were used to evaluate the impact of r AIp75 on the risk of new-onset hypertension.RESULTS After a mean 2.35-year follow-up,213(13.19%)participants developed incident hypertension.No significant relation between r AIp75 and incident hypertension was observed in the whole population after adjustment for possible confounders(adjusted odds ratio(OR)and 95%confidence interval(CI):1.09[0.95-1.27];P=0.2260).However,r AIp75 was significantly associated with incident hypertension in women,but not in men(adjusted OR and 95%CI:1.29[1.06-1.56],P=0.0113 for women;0.91[0.72-1.15],P=0.4244 for men;P for interaction=0.0133).CONCLUSIONS Sex modified the effect of the r AI on incident hypertension in a Chinese,community-based,non-hypertensive population.Screening of the r AI could be considered in women with a high risk of hypertension for the purpose of primary intervention.