Increased ambulatory arterial stiffness index and blood pressure load in normotensive obese patients

Objectives: It has been shown that blood pressure (BP) values measured in obese subjects are higher than the individuals with normal weight, even in normotensive limits. However, data concerning the Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index (AASI) and blood pressure load in normotensive obese subjects is lacking. This study was aimed to compare the ambulatory arterial stiffness index and blood pressure load in normotensive obese and healthy controls. Methods: One hundred normotensive obese and one hundred normal weight subjects were included in this study. All sub- jects underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Ambulatory arterial stiffness index was calculated from 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring records. Ambulatory arterial stiffness index was defined as one minus the regression slope of unedited 24-h diastolic on systolic blood pressures. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) load values were calculated from 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring analysis. Results: Ambulatory arterial stiffness index of the obese subjects was significantly higher than the healthy controls (0.48±0.2 vs. 0.33±0.11, p<0.001). 24-hours systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure loads were significantly higher in obese subjects. Logistic regression analysis revealed that body mass index (BMI) was an independent predictor for an abnor- mal ambulatory arterial stiffness ındex (≥0.50) (OR: 1.137, 95% CI: 0.915-1.001, p=0.004). Conclusion: Blood pressure load and ambulatory arterial stiffness index are increased in normotensive obese patients. Moreover, body mass index is an independent predictor for an abnormal ambulatory arterial stiffness index. Our results indicate that obese subjects are at higher risk for future cardiovascular events despite normal office BP levels. Keywords: Ambulatory arterial stiffness index; blood pressure load; obesity; blood pressure.

The Relationship Between Markers Derived From Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring and Preterm Birth and Neonatal Weight in Patients With Preeclampsia

Background: In order to discern the relationship between ambulatory blood pressure monitoring-related indices and preterm birth and newborn weight in patients with preeclampsia. Methods: Sixty-seven patients with preeclampsia were included in the present study. We used logistic regression analysis to determine the relationship between blood pressure index and preterm birth risk, and to find the best threshold to predict preterm birth using an ROC curve. The relationship between the blood pressure index and neonatal weight was best described by linear regression analysis. Results: The main result are as follows. Nocturnal diastolic blood pressure load (OR =1.045, 95% Cl 1.016–1.076, P=0.002) has significant statistical association with preterm birth, but there was no statistical association between other indicators and preterm birth. Nocturnal systolic blood pressure, nocturnal systolic blood pressure load, and nocturnal diastolic blood pressure load each showed a significant negative correlation with neonatal weight. Other indicators were also negatively correlated, but these were not statistically significant. The predictive thresholds for nDBP load, as follows: for nDBP load at 73.8% a sensitivity of 0.78 and specificity of 0.70. Conclusions: In conclusion, in women with preeclampsia, elevated nDBP load has significant positive correlation with the risk of preterm birth, and nSBP, nSBP load and nDBP load has negative correlation with birth weight in newborns.Trial registration: Not applicable