Hongmei Yang

Background and purpose: Hypertension is the most significant modifiable risk factor for all-cause morbidity worldwide and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. To alleviate the public health burden of hypertension, early identification of risk factors and preventive strategies is vital. Liver fibrosis scores (LFSs), which serve as non-invasive alternatives to liver biopsy, are commonly used to assess liver disease. Growing evidence demonstrated that liver disease may contribute to various systemic adverse effects, such as inflammation and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the sympathetic nervous system, play a critical role in the pathophysiology of hypertension. This study aims to explore the relationship between LFSs and hypertension. Methods: A total of 11,503 participants from the Northeast China Rural Cardiovascular Health Study, which is a large prospective cross-sectional research consisting of a community all coming from rural areas, were included in this study. Four different LFSs were utilized: the aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/platelet ratio index (APRI); the BARD score (incorporating body mass index [BMI], AST/alanine aminotransferase [ALT] ratio, and diabetes status); the BAAT score (BMI, age, ALT, and triglycerides [TGs]); and the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Subgroup analysis was conducted to examine associations between LFSs and hypertension across different stratifications, while restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrated the linear correlation between LFSs and hypertension risk. The C statistic, net reclassification index (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were calculated to evaluate the impact of each LFS on hypertension risk prediction. Results: Baseline data identified that all four LFSs were higher among participants with hypertension. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the OR for hypertension was as follows: 2.34 (95% CI: 1.95–2.81) for FIB-4, 1.34 (95% CI: 1.17–1.53) for the BARD score, 1.21 (95% CI: 1.03–1.43) for APRI, and last 1.21 (95% CI: 1.00–1.47) for the BAAT score, comparing high and low levels of each LFS. Adding LFSs to the original risk prediction model improved its predictive accuracy, with higher C-statistics and positive NRI and IDI values, indicating a significant enhancement in risk prediction for hypertension. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that LFSs are related to hypertension in individuals aged 35 and older in rural northeastern China.

Purpose: To explore the predictive value of ACEF scores for identifying the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population. Methods: A total of 8613 participants without a history of CVD were enrolled in the follow-up. The endpoint was CVD incidence, defined as stroke or coronary heart disease (CHD) diagnosed during the follow-up period. Cox regression analyses were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with respect to the age, creatinine, and ejection fraction (ACEF) scores and CVD. A Kaplan–Meier curve was used to analyze the probability of CVD in different quartiles of ACEF. Restricted cubic spline was used to further explore whether the relationship between ACEF and CVD was linear. Finally, we assessed the discriminatory ability of ACEF for CVD using C-statistics, net reclassification index, and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). Results: During a median follow-up period of 4.66 years, 388 participants were diagnosed with CVD. The Kaplan–Meier curve showed that ACEF was associated with CVD, and participants with high ACEF scores were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with CVD compared to participants with low ACEF scores in the general population. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, the adjusted HRs for four quartiles of ACEF were as follows: the first quartile was used as a reference; the second quartile: HR = 2.33; the third quartile: HR = 4.81; the fourth quartile: HR = 8.00. Moreover, after adding ACEF to the original risk prediction model, we observed that new models had higher C-statistic values of CVD than the traditional model. Furthermore, the results of both NRI and IDI were positive, indicating that ACEF enhanced the prediction of CVD. Conclusions: Our study showed that the ACEF score was associated with CVD in the general population in northeastern China. Furthermore, ACEF could be a new tool for identifying patients at high risk of primary CVD in the general population.

Summary Based on the use of Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians (OSTA) to assess osteoporosis risk, we found that short sleep duration and taking a daytime nap had an increased risk of osteoporosis. Purpose To explore the associations between different sleep patterns with osteoporosis. Methods 3659 postmenopausal women (average age of 60 years) were divided into low, middle, and high osteoporosis risk categories based on the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians (OSTA). After having collected by a standard questionnaire, total and nocturnal sleep duration was collapsed to form categories of ≤ 6 h, > 6 h and ≤ 7 h, > 7 h and ≤ 8 h, > 8 h and ≤ 9 h, > 9 h, and daytime nap duration of 0 h and > 0 h. Results As a categorical variable, the total sleep duration of ≤ 6 h per day (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.04–1.72), nocturnal sleep duration of ≤ 6 h per night (OR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.24–2.18), and taking a daytime nap (OR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.09–1.64) had higher osteoporosis risk after adjustment for covariates. As a continuous variable, after the adjustment for covariates, both longer total (OR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.78–0.94) and nocturnal sleep duration (OR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.76–0.91) had lower risk of osteoporosis risk while taking longer daytime nap (OR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.02–1.19) had higher osteoporosis risk. Conclusions Postmenopausal women with both short total and nocturnal sleep duration (6 h or less) and taking a daytime nap had increased osteoporosis risk as assessed by OSTA.

BackgroundMonocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) is a novel inflammatory marker of inflammation and oxidative stress and has been used to predict multiple inflammation-related diseases, but data relative to diabetes mellitus are lacking. Hence, our study aimed to explore the impact of MHR on diabetes and its value to improve the risk stratification and prevention of diabetes in a large cohort of general Chinese population.MethodThis study selected 8142 (males: 45.76%) participants who participated in the rural cardiovascular health research in Northeast China between 2012 and 2013. MHR was defined as blood monocyte count ratio to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrationResultsThe prevalence of diabetes is 10.7%. By correcting for potential confounding factors, per SD increase of MHR caused a 11.2% additional risk for diabetes, in addition, the top quartile of MHR increased the risk of diabetes by 33.1% over the bottom quartile.Furthermore, smooth curve fitting showed a linear and strong correlation between MHR and diabetes. Finally, Category-free net reclassification improvement (0.085, 95% CI: 8 0.016-0.155, P = 0.016) and integrated discrimination improvement (0.001, 95% CI: 0.000-0.0024, P = 0.018) also demonstrated significant improvementsConclusionsOur study revealed an independent and robust correlation between MHR and prevalent diabetes mellitus in general population. Furthermore, our results suggest the importance of simultaneous inflammation and lipids control in the prevention of diabetes mellitus, highlighting the value of MHR to optimize the risk stratification and prevention of diabetes mellitus. These findings have implications for the prevention of diabetes and its adverse outcomes.

This study aimed to comprehensively compare the general characteristics, lifestyles, serum parameters, ultrasonic cardiogram (UCG) parameters, depression, quality of life, and various comorbidities between empty nest and non-empty nest elderly among rural populations in northeast China. This analysis was based on our previous study which was conducted from January 2012 to August 2013, using a multistage, stratified, random cluster sampling scheme. The final analyzed sample consisted of 3208 participants aged no less than 60 years, which was further classified into three groups: non-empty nest group, empty nest group (living as a couple), and empty nest group (living alone). More than half of the participants were empty nest elderly (60.5%). There were no significant statistical differences for serum parameters, UCG parameters, lifestyles, dietary pattern, and scores of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire, abbreviated version (WHOQOL-BREF) among the three groups. Empty nest elderly showed no more risk for comorbidities such as general obesity, abdominal obesity, hyperuricemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, diabetes, dyslipidemia, left atrial enlargement (LAE), and stroke. Our study indicated that empty nest elderly showed no more risk for depression, low quality of life and comorbidities such as general obesity, abdominal obesity, hyperuricemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, diabetes, dyslipidemia, LAE, and stroke among rural populations in northeast China.

Background: Both the serum uric acid (SUA) level and elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are related to metabolic syndrome. However, the association between SUA and elevated ALT has not been elucidated in the general population. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between SUA and elevated ALT in the general population of China; Methods: A total of 11,572 adults (≥35 years of age) participated in this survey. Elevated ALT was defined as >40 U/L. SUA ≥ 7.0 mg/dL in males or ≥6.0 mg/dL in females was defined as hyperuricemia. SUA within the reference range was divided into quartiles, and its associations with elevated ALT were evaluated by logistic regressions; Results: A total of 7.4% participants had elevated ALT. The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 14.9% in males and 7.3% in females. There was a significantly positive dose-response association between SUA levels and the prevalence of elevated ALT. After adjusting for potential confounders, a positive relationship for elevated ALT was observed in subjects with hyperuricemia (odds ratio [OR]: 2.032, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.443–2.861 for men; OR: 2.045, 95% CI: 1.221–3.425 for women, both p < 0.05). Within the reference range, the association between SUA and elevated ALT persisted in the fourth quartile (OR: 1.467, 95% CI: 1.063–2.025 for men; OR: 1.721, 95% CI: 1.146–2.585 for women, both p < 0.05); Conclusions: Our results indicated that an increased SUA level, even within the reference range, was independently associated with elevated ALT in Chinese adults.

Background: In 2010, the American Heart Association developed a new definition of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) based on seven cardiovascular health metrics. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between modified ideal CVH metrics and the risk of stroke in the rural population of Northeast China. Methods: We included 11,417 adults from the rural population in Northeast China and collected all the information, including the baseline characteristics, history of stroke, and the seven ideal CVH metrics. Results: Our results showed that the presence of stroke was associated with high body mass index (BMI), poor diet score (salt intake), high total cholesterol (TC), high blood pressure (BP), and high fasting plasma glucose (FPG). The prevalence of stroke increased as the number of ideal CVH metrics decreased, and peaked to 13.1% among those with only one ideal CVH metric. Participants with only one ideal CVH had a 4.40-fold increased susceptibility of stroke than those with all seven ideal health metrics. Conclusion: This study revealed that people with a better CVH status had a lower prevalence of stroke and the susceptibility of stroke increased with the decreasing of the number of ideal CVH metrics.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) has long been used as an anthropometric measurement. Waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) have been proposed as alternatives to BMI. Recently, two new anthropometric indices, the A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and Body Roundness Index (BRI) have been developed as possible improved alternatives to BMI and WC. The main research aim is to assess the capacity of the ABSI and BRI to identify subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM) and the secondary aim is to determine whether ABSI and/or BRI is superior to the traditional body indices (BMI, WC, and WHtR). This cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural areas of northeast China from January 2012 to August 2013, and the final analysis included data obtained form 5253 men and 6092 women. 1182 participants (10.4 %) suffered from DM. Spearman rank test showed that BRI and WHtR showed the highest Spearman correlation coefficient for DM whereas ABSI showed the lowest. The prevalence of DM increased across quartiles for ABSI, BMI, BRI, WC and WHtR. A multivariate logistic regression analysis of the presence of DM for the highest quartile vs. the lowest quartile of each anthropometric measure, showed that the WHtR was the best predictor of DM (OR: 2.40, 95 % CI: 1.42–3.39 in men; OR: 2.67, 95 % CI: 1.60–3.74 in women, both P < 0.001), and the ABSI was the poorest predictor of DM (OR: 1.51, 95 % CI: 1.05–1.97 in men; OR: 1.55, 95 % CI: 1.07–2.04 in women, both P < 0.05). ABSI showed the lowest AUCs (AUC: 0.61, 95 % CI: 0.58–0.63 for men; AUC: 0.61, 95 % CI: 0.59–0.63 for women) for DM in both sexes, while BRI (AUC: 0.66, 95 % CI: 0.63–0.68 for men; AUC: 0.67, 95 % CI: 0.65–0.69 for women) had high AUCs for DM that equaled those of WHtR. Our results showed neither ABSI nor BRI were superior to BMI, WC, or WHtR for predicting the presence of DM. ABSI showed the weakest predictive ability, while BRI showed potential for use as an alternative obesity measure in assessment of DM.

Low mean arterial pressure (MAP) can cause low renal blood flow and damage the kidneys. However, in the general population, it remains unclear whether or not decline in renal function is related to MAP. The present study examined the relationship between MAP and decreased glomerular filtration rate(GFR) in participans aged ≥35 years from the Liaoning province of China. A total of 11345 representative individuals aged ≥ 35 years was selected and a cross-sectional survey was conducted from January 2012 to August 2013 to describe the gender-specific prevalence and factors associated with decreased GFR in rural areas of Liaoning Province. Men with decreased eGFR (eGFR < 60ml/min per 1.73m2) were older, and had higher meanWC, systolic and diastolic BP, PP, MAP, total fasting glucose, LDL-C ,glyceride and uric acid levels and were current drinker/smoker at the baseline (all P < 0.05). Those with low education level, low income, low physical activity, low hemoglobin and HDL-C level had decreased eGFR (all P < 0.05). In women, the results were similar to those of men, but DBP and drinking status had no associations with the eGFR at the baseline (all P < 0.05). After adjustment for age, men with MAP of >112.2 mmHg versus ≤ 93.8 mmHg had ORs for decreased eGFR of 2.367 (95 % CI: 1.248 to 4.488) .After multivariable adjustment, an MAP of >112.2 mmHg versus ≤93.8 mmHg had an OR for decreased eGFR of 3.249 (95 % CI:1.394 to 7.575) in men, whereas in women, MAP was not associated with decreased eGFR. MAP was associated with decreased eGFR in men, while in women MAP was not associated with decreased eGFR. These findings provide some evidence that a different adaptive response to renal regulation may exist in males and females.