International Angiology
Volume 34, Issue 4, 2015, Pages 407-412

Differences in arterial stiffness and target organ damage between native Greek patients and immigrants from Eastern European countries with essential hypertension (Article)

Katsi V. , Varounis C. , Pavlidis A.N.* , Alexopoulos N. , Vlachopoulos C. , Antoniades C. , Vamvakou G. , Tousoulis D. , Stefanadis C. , Kallikazaros I.
  • a Cardiology Department, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
  • b Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • c Cardiology Department, London Chest Hospital, Bonner Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 9JX, United Kingdom
  • d Athens Euroclinic, Athens, Greece
  • e First Department of Cardiology, Athens University, Medical School, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • f Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
  • g Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • h First Department of Cardiology, Athens University, Medical School, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • i First Department of Cardiology, Athens University, Medical School, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • j Cardiology Department, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece

Abstract

Aim: The variance in hypertension-related sequelae between different ethnic groups is highly related to differences in socioeconomic conditions and lifestyle habits, but also to disparities in the awareness and treatment of the disease. In the present study, we sought to evaluate the target organ damage in a vulnerable hypertensive population, such as the Eastern European immigrants. Methods: The study population consisted of 128 hypertensive patients: 67 immigrants from Eastern Europe and 61 native inhabitants. Anthropometric, biochemical and echocardiographic data were derived from both groups. Both groups underwent fundoscopic examination and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements for assessment of arterial stiffness. Results: Although immigrants had lower body mass index compared to native inhabitants (P<0.001), they had significantly increased arterial stiffness (P=0.003). In multivariate analysis, higher carotid-femoral PWV was significantly associated with immigration status [β (SE)=0.935(0.443), P=0.041], after adjustment for smoking status. Moreover, immigrants had increased left atrial volume index (LAVI) (P<0.001), left ventricular mass index (P<0.001) and higher rates of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (p=0.047). In multivariate analysis, LAVI was significantly associated with immigration status (β (SE)=5.17(1.93), P=0.01) after adjustment for serum glucose levels and age. Finally, immigrants had significantly higher levels of sodium urinary excretion (p=0.007) and lower glomerular filtration rate (P<0.001). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that hypertensive immigrants exhibit an aggravated arterial stiffness profile and increased risk of target organ damage. These findings could be attributed to differences in socioeconomic conditions and dietary habits.

Author Keywords

Hypertension Atherosclerosis Pulse wave analysis

Index Keywords

blood flow velocity Glomerular Filtration Rate Pulse Wave Analysis left ventricular mass index immigrant left ventricular diastolic dysfunction cardiovascular parameters Europe, Eastern target organ damage pulse wave left ventricular end diastolic diameter essential hypertension arterial stiffness Vascular Stiffness Echocardiography physiology blood pressure cholesterol blood level race difference Heart Ventricles physical disease by body function left atrial volume index heart ventricle human epidemiology immigration middle aged hypertension Aged Eastern Europe ethnology Young Adult Humans migrant Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female risk factor Risk Factors Multivariate Analysis Greece echography cholesterol Article sodium excretion major clinical study adult creatinine urine level sodium Eastern European body mass glomerulus filtration rate sodium urine level creatinine
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84946917088&partnerID=40&md5=a9371df23af4f307955b830276afb831
ISSN: 03929590
Original Language: English