TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence of hypertension and hypertension phenotypes by age and gender among schoolchildren in Greece
T2 - The Healthy Growth Study
AU - Karatzi, Kalliopi
AU - Protogerou, Athanase D.
AU - Moschonis, George
AU - Tsirimiagou, Christiana
AU - Androutsos, Odysseas
AU - Chrousos, George P.
AU - Lionis, Christos
AU - Manios, Yannis
PY - 2017/4/1
Y1 - 2017/4/1
N2 - Background and aims Childhood hypertension is a constantly increasing health problem. Data regarding its prevalence and particularly the prevalence of its phenotypes in the Greek population are limited; therefore, the aim of the study was to determine them in a large sample of Greek children. Methods A sample of 2655 schoolchildren (9–13 years) participated in the Healthy Growth Study, i.e. a cross-sectional epidemiologic study conducted in 77 primary schools in four large regions in Greece. This study shows results on 2571 children (1286 boys), for whom full data on systolic and diastolic blood pressure indices were available, as well as physical examination, anthropometric and physical activity data. Results The observed prevalence rates were: prehypertension, 14.2%; stage 1 hypertension, 15.7%; and stage 2 hypertension, 7.3%. Girls had substantially higher hypertension prevalence than boys (25.3% vs. 20.8%). The prevalence rates for prehypertension and stage 2 hypertension were higher in younger than older children (22.4 vs. 13.7% and 8.6 vs. 7.5% respectively), while stage 1 hypertension was higher in children >12 years old compared to younger children (14.9 vs. 12.1%). Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) was the most prevalent phenotype (11.9%). Moreover, presence of hypertension was positively associated with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in both genders, and with sedentary behaviors only in boys. Conclusions The prevalence of hypertension in Greek children and adolescents is alarming and among the highest reported in European countries, while the differences between genders in hypertension phenotype prevalence also provide valuable insight on this problem. The present data may guide future public health initiatives to tackle childhood hypertension in Greece.
AB - Background and aims Childhood hypertension is a constantly increasing health problem. Data regarding its prevalence and particularly the prevalence of its phenotypes in the Greek population are limited; therefore, the aim of the study was to determine them in a large sample of Greek children. Methods A sample of 2655 schoolchildren (9–13 years) participated in the Healthy Growth Study, i.e. a cross-sectional epidemiologic study conducted in 77 primary schools in four large regions in Greece. This study shows results on 2571 children (1286 boys), for whom full data on systolic and diastolic blood pressure indices were available, as well as physical examination, anthropometric and physical activity data. Results The observed prevalence rates were: prehypertension, 14.2%; stage 1 hypertension, 15.7%; and stage 2 hypertension, 7.3%. Girls had substantially higher hypertension prevalence than boys (25.3% vs. 20.8%). The prevalence rates for prehypertension and stage 2 hypertension were higher in younger than older children (22.4 vs. 13.7% and 8.6 vs. 7.5% respectively), while stage 1 hypertension was higher in children >12 years old compared to younger children (14.9 vs. 12.1%). Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) was the most prevalent phenotype (11.9%). Moreover, presence of hypertension was positively associated with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in both genders, and with sedentary behaviors only in boys. Conclusions The prevalence of hypertension in Greek children and adolescents is alarming and among the highest reported in European countries, while the differences between genders in hypertension phenotype prevalence also provide valuable insight on this problem. The present data may guide future public health initiatives to tackle childhood hypertension in Greece.
KW - Adolescent hypertension
KW - Childhood hypertension
KW - Isolated systolic hypertension
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85011101342&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.01.027
DO - 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.01.027
M3 - Article
C2 - 28161097
AN - SCOPUS:85011101342
SN - 0021-9150
VL - 259
SP - 128
EP - 133
JO - Atherosclerosis
JF - Atherosclerosis
ER -