[Associsation between inflammatory cytokines and hypertension among the Chinese people in six provinces in 2018].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between serum inflammatory biomarkers and hypertension prevalence in Chinese adults.

METHODS

Based on the 2018 China Health and Nutrition Survey(CHNS), we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 1960 adults from six provinces selected through stratified random sampling by age and sex. Participants with complete dietary, biochemical, and anthropometric data were included. Blood pressure was measured three times using a mercury sphygmomanometer. Fasting venous blood samples were collected to quantify nine inflammatory biomarkers: hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP, immunoturbidimetric assay), interleukin-1beta(IL-1beta), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α, ELISA). Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, income, residence, education, dietary approaches to stop hypertension(DASH) score, physical activity, body mass index, smoking, alcohol use, and diabetes status were used to evaluate associations. Restricted cubic spline curves explored dose-response relationships.

RESULTS

Among 1960 participants, 806(41.1%) had hypertension. After full adjustment, log-transformed inflammatory biomarkers showed significant positive associations with hypertension prevalence: hs-CRP(OR=1.50, 95% CI 1.22-1.86), IL-18(OR=1.98, 95%CI 1.48-2.65), TNF-α(OR=1.84, 95% CI 1.21-2.81), and IL-8(OR=1.23, 95%CI 1.02-1.49). Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a nonlinear relationship for hs-CRP(P for nonlinear=0.007): hypertension possibility increased rapidly when ln(hs-CRP+1)<0.56, plateaued at 0.56-1.302, and rose again above 1.302. Linear trends were observed for lnIL-18, lnIL-8, and lnTNF-α.

CONCLUSION

Elevated serum hs-CRP, IL-18, IL-8, and TNF-α levels are independently associated with hypertension prevalence in Chinese adults, with a nonlinear dose-response pattern for hs-CRP. Targeting chronic low-grade inflammation may provide novel strategies for hypertension prevention.