Analysis of the relationship and influencing factors between pre-diabetes mellitus and hypertension

Objective To explore the relationship and influencing factors between pre-diabetes mellitus (pre-DM) and hypertension, providing evidence for formulating strategies for cardiovascular disease prevention and control. Methods We conducted this study from June 2013 to September 2014. Using stratified multistage random sampling, participants were administered a questionnaire survey, their height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, other physical attributes, blood pressure and blood lipids were measured. They also underwent the 75-g glucose tolerance test and other laboratory examinations. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between pre-DM and hypertension and its influencing factors. Results A total of 4 002 participants completed the survey. Participants’ mean age was 50.3 ± 11.8 years. Of the total participants, 1 962 (49.0%) were males, while 2 039 (51.0%) were females; 1 participant had missing gender data. Further, 2 188 participants had normal glucose metabolism, 1 066 had pre-DM, and 748 had diabetes. The prevalence of hypertension in participants with normal glucose metabolism, impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, both impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance, and DM was 28.3%, 46.5%, 46.3%, 62.0%, and 61.2%, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension varied among people with different glucose metabolism (χ2=306.672, P<0.001). The prevalence of hypertension in the pre-DM population increased with the aggravation of abnormal glucose metabolism compared to the normal glucose metabolism population, with a linear trend (χ2=299.009, P<0.001). Among those with abnormal glucose metabolism, there were differences in age, cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins, body mass index, and waist circumference compared to those without hypertension (P<0.05). The risk of hypertension in the pre-diabetic population was 1.5 times higher than that in the normal glucose metabolism population (OR=2.510, 95%CI: 2.156-2.922, P<0.001). There was no difference in the correlation intensity between pre-DM and hypertension when gender was taken into account. Age and lipid abnormalities slightly decreased the correlation intensity between abnormal glucose metabolism and hypertension. Considering body mass index and centripetal obesity, the correlation intensity between abnormal glucose metabolism and hypertension could be reduced by controlling these factors. Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension is high in people with pre-DM. There is a correlation between pre-DM and hypertension, even when considering factors such as age, dyslipidemia, body mass index, and centripetal obesity. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the management of blood pressure in the pre-diabetic population; improve early intervention for risk factors such as dyslipidemia, body mass index, and centripetal obesity; and reduce the occurrence of hypertension.