Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness in Kenyan Adolescents With alpha(+)Thalassemia

ABSTRACT

J Am Heart Assoc

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have discovered that alpha-globin is expressed in blood vessel walls where it plays a role in regulating vascular tone. We tested the hypothesis that blood pressure (BP) might differ between normal individuals and those with alpha(+)thalassemia, in whom the production of alpha-globin is reduced. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was conducted in Nairobi, Kenya, among 938 adolescents aged 11 to 17 years. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP monitoring and arterial stiffness measurements were performed using an arteriograph device. We genotyped for alpha(+)thalassemia by polymerase chain reaction. Complete data for analysis were available for 623 subjects; 223 (36%) were heterozygous (-alpha/alphaalpha) and 47 (8%) were homozygous (-alpha/-alpha) for alpha(+)thalassemia whereas the remaining 353 (55%) were normal (alphaalpha/alphaalpha). Mean 24-hour systolic BP +/-SD was 118+/-12 mm Hg in alphaalpha/alphaalpha, 117+/-11 mm Hg in -alpha/alphaalpha, and 118+/-11 mm Hg in -alpha/-alpha subjects, respectively. Mean 24-hour diastolic BP +/-SD in these groups was 64+/-8, 63+/-7, and 65+/-8 mm Hg, respectively. Mean pulse wave velocity (PWV)+/-SD was 7+/-0.8, 7+/-0.8, and 7+/-0.7 ms(-1), respectively. No differences were observed in PWV and any of the 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring-derived measures between those with and without alpha(+)thalassemia. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the presence of alpha(+)thalassemia does not affect BP and/or arterial stiffness in Kenyan adolescents.

Etyang, A. O., Khayeka-Wandabwa, C., Kapesa, S., Muthumbi, E., Odipo, E., Wamukoya, M., Ngomi, N., Haregu, T., Kyobutungi, C., Tendwa, M., Makale, J., Macharia, A., Cruickshank, J. K., Smeeth, L., Scott, J. A., Williams, T. N.

Pages:, Volume:6, Edition:4/7/2017, Date,Apr-05

Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28381468

Notes:Etyang, Anthony O|Khayeka-Wandabwa, Christopher|Kapesa, Sailoki|Muthumbi, Esther|Odipo, Emily|Wamukoya, Marylene|Ngomi, Nicholas|Haregu, Tilahun|Kyobutungi, Catherine|Tendwa, Metrine|Makale, Johnstone|Macharia, Alex|Cruickshank, J Kennedy|Smeeth, Liam|Scott, J Anthony G|Williams, Thomas N|eng|Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom|England|2017/04/07 06:00|J Am Heart Assoc. 2017 Apr 5;6(4). pii: JAHA.117.005613. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.117.005613.

ISBN: 2047-9980 (Electronic)|2047-9980 (Linking) Permanent ID: PMC5533038 Accession Number: 28381468

Author Address: KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Program, Kilifi, Kenya aetyang@kemri-wellcome.org.|London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.|African Population and Health Research Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.|KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Program, Kilifi, Kenya.|King’s College, London, United Kingdom.|Imperial College, London, United Kingdom.

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