Background Military personnels are often faced with special environment and stress. However, the incidence of hypertension and its risk factors in the PLA troops are unclear.
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of hypertension among PLA troops and ensure their combat ability.
Methods In September 2019, an epidemiological survey was conducted among 1 634 officers and soldiers to assess the prevalence of hypertension. The relationship between BMI, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist hip ratio (WHR) and blood pressure were further explored for soldiers diagnosed with hypertension.
Results The average age of included officers and soldiers was 25.11 ± 4.90 years, and the majority (99.02%) were male. The prevalence of hypertension was 3.12% (51/1634), and the prevalence rate of grade 1 and grade 2 hypertension was 98.04% (50/51) and 1.96% (1/51) respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the hypertension group had significantly older age and higher waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) than the normotensive group (P＜0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that compared with BMI, WHtR and WHR were positively correlated with systolic pressure (r=0.19, r=0.18; P＜0.01, respectively) and diastolic pressure (r=0.17, r=0.20; P＜0.01, respectively). After adjustment of cardiovascular risk factors, such as age, gender, smoking, drinking, heart rate and other confounding factors, WHtR and WHR were correlated with both systolic (β=0.18, β=0.13; P＜0.01, respectively) and diastolic blood pressure (β=0.20, β=0.21; P＜0.01, respectively), while BMI was only correlated with diastolic blood pressure (β=0.07, P＜0.01).
Conclusion The prevalence rate of hypertension among border troops is 3.12%, most of which is grade 1. WHtR and WHR are more closely related to hypertension than BMI.
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