Interaction between white coat effect and hypertension on arterial stiffness.

OBJECTIVE

White coat effect (WCE) is a debated risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and the current findings regarding its association with arterial stiffness in hypertension remain inconsistent. This study aimed to explore the interaction between WCE and hypertension on arterial stiffness.

METHODS

A total of 7584 participants, including 4679 controls and 2905 individuals with hypertension were enrolled and divided into four groups: control, white coat hypertension (WCH), hypertension, and white coat uncontrolled hypertension (WUCH). Arterial stiffness was assessed using arterial velocity pulse index (AVI) and arterial pressure volume index (API), measured through cuff oscillometry. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for high CVD risk. The association between API and pulse pressure (PP) was analyzed using restrictive cubic spline (RCS) analysis.

RESULTS

Participants with WUCH were older than those with WCH (63 vs. 58 years, p < 0.05), had higher PP (73 vs. 62 mmHg, P  < 0.05), and a higher API (36 vs. 32, P  < 0.05). In multivariable analysis, WCH/WUCH remained a determinant of API. After adjusting for confounding factors, API ( β = 1.046, P  < 0.001), and WCH/WUCH ( β = 1.628, P  < 0.001) were identified as independent influencing factors for high CVD risk. The RCS analysis of API and PP demonstrated a significant J-shaped relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with the WCE showed greater peripheral arterial stiffness, especially among women. A J-shaped relationship between API and PP was observed in both WCE and non-WCE individuals. WCE was independently associated with a higher CVD risk.