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Kunitoshi Iseki

Publications and source records attributed to Kunitoshi Iseki.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Blood pressure predicts risk of developing end-stage renal disease in men and women.

Blood pressure as a risk factor for development of end-stage renal disease has not been fully studied, particularly in women. We studied the development of end-stage renal disease from 1983 through 2000 in 98 759 subjects, 46 881 men and 51 878 women, 20 to 98 years of age, who were screened in 1983 in Okinawa, Japan. Data for all dialysis patients registered from 1983 to 2000 in Okinawa were used to identify the screened subjects in whom end-stage renal disease developed. In follow-up, 400 subjects, 231 men and 169 women, had end-stage renal disease. Age, body mass index, and adjusted relative risk for systolic and diastolic blood pressure for both men and women were measured. When these results were compared with an optimal blood pressure, the relative risk of development of end-stage renal disease for those with high-normal blood pressure and hypertension were significant in both men and women. Hypertension is a significant risk factor for development of end-stage renal disease not only in men but also in women. Control of blood pressure within normal levels should be stressed as a strategy to prevent end-stage renal disease in both men and women.

Adult↗

Proteinuria and the risk of developing end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Dipstick urinalysis for proteinuria and hematuria has been used to screen renal disease, but evidence of the clinical impact of this test on development of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is lacking. METHODS: We assessed development of ESRD through 2000 in 106,177 screened patients (50,584 men and 55,593 women), 20 to 98 years old, in Okinawa, Japan, who participated in community-based mass screening between April 1983 and March 1984. We used data from the Okinawa Dialysis Study Registry to identify ESRD patients. Multivariate logistic analyses were performed to calculate adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the significance of proteinuria and hematuria on the risk of developing ESRD with confounding variables such as age, gender, blood pressure, and body mass index. A similar analysis was repeated in a subgroup of screened patients in whom serum creatinine data existed. RESULTS: During 17 years of follow-up, 420 screened persons (246 men and 174 women) entered the ESRD program. We identified a strong, graded relationship between ESRD and dipstick urinalysis positive for proteinuria; adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) was 2.71 (2.51 to 2.92, P < 0.001). Similar trends were observed after adding serum creatinine data. Compared with dipstick-negative proteinuria, adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) of proteinuria (1+) was 1.93 (1.53 to 2.41, P < 0.001) in men and 2.42 (1.91 to 3.06, P < 0.001) in women. CONCLUSION: Proteinuria was a strong, independent predictor of ESRD in a mass screening setting. Even a slight increase in proteinuria was an independent risk factor for ESRD. Therefore, asymptomatic proteinuria warrants further work-up and intervention.

Adult↗

Haematocrit and the risk of developing end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia is common in patients with renal failure; however, it is not known whether haematocrit level in the general population is a predictor for developing end-stage renal disease (ESRD). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted to assess the development of ESRD within a population of 71 802 subjects (37 190 men and 34 612 women), 20-99 years, in Okinawa, Japan. Haematocrit data were collected between April 1983 and March 1984 and the subjects were followed forward to the year 2000 whether they were identified in the Okinawa Dialysis Study registry for identification of ESRD. Multivariate logistic analyses were performed to analyse the influence of haematocrit on the development of ESRD after adjusting for age, sex, blood pressure, body mass index, proteinuria and haematuria. In a subgroup of the cohort, similar analyses were repeated adjusting for estimated creatinine clearance by the method of Cockcroft and Gault. RESULTS: The mean (SD) level of haematocrit at the time of screening was 45.3% (3.3%) for men and 38.8% (3.2%) for women. During the 17-year follow-up, 269 patients (171 men and 98 women) were identified with ESRD. The mean time to onset of ESRD was 130.4 (53.6) months. The adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the influence of haematocrit (%) on the development of ESRD was 0.991 and 0.988-0.995 (P<0.0001), suggesting that the lower haematocrit, the greater was the risk of developing ESRD. This finding was repeated in the subgroup analysis that included calculated creatinine clearance (adjusted odds ratio 0.991 and 95% CI 0.984-0.997, P=0.0057). In women, the adjusted odds ratio for haematocrits of 20.0-34.9% was 3.086 (CI 1.770-5.376, P<0.0001) when compared with the reference haematocrits of 35.0-39.9%. In men, the adjusted odds ratio for haematocrits of 25.0-39.9% was 1.927 (CI 1.418-2.625, P<0.0001) when compared with the reference haematocrits of 45.0-49.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with low haematocrits, <40% for men and <35% for women, have a significantly increased risk of ESRD.

Adult↗

Effect of the duration of dialysis on survival in a cohort of chronic haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis and vascular calcification are common in chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients, and usually progress with time. Whether the length of dialysis treatment in chronic HD patients is a significant independent risk factor of death is not clear. METHODS: A cohort of chronic HD patients from the Okinawa Dialysis Study, n=1243 (720 men, 523 women), was followed from January 1991 to December 2000, and their survival rates were compared against the duration of HD, which was calculated in months from the start of dialysis therapy to January 1991. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was done to examine the influence of the duration of dialysis on survival, after adjusting for other factors such as age, sex, serum albumin concentration and diastolic blood pressure. The hazards ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. RESULTS: The mean duration of dialysis was 61.9 months and ranged from 1 to 233 months. The numbers of patients who died, underwent renal transplantation or were transferred outside Okinawa were 568 (45.7%), 61 (4.9%) and 14 (1.1%), respectively, during the study. The hazards ratio (95% CI) was 1.002 (1.000-1.004, P=0.0245) for non-diabetic patients and 1.006 (1.001-1.011, P=0.0214) for diabetic patients, suggesting that the longer the duration of dialysis, the greater the risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that prolonged dialysis is a significant predictor of death in chronic HD patients, in particular diabetic patients. Whether this is related to the progression of the atherosclerotic process or to uraemic conditions remains to be shown.

Age Factors↗

The okinawa screening program.

Predictors of ESRD were identified using independent registries of both ESRD patients and the general population in Okinawa, Japan. Besides male gender, we found that the significant predictors of ESRD to be proteinuria, hematuria, and hypertension, especially diastolic BP. Among the laboratory findings, a high serum creatinine level was shown to be a strong predictor of ESRD. The effects of age, obesity, and hypercholesterolemia were insignificant, but this needs to be confirmed in a larger cohort and other registries.

Adolescent↗

Cardiovascular risk factors associated with pulse pressure in a screened cohort in Okinawa, Japan.

We evaluated the association between pulse pressure (PP) and cardiovascular risk factors in a screened cohort. Individuals who were receiving medications for hypertension or heart disease, who had no ECG record, or who had a record of arrhythmia were excluded. In total, 8,508 subjects (5,299 men and 3,209 women; age range, 18 to 89 years) were studied. Subjects were divided into four PP classes: PP.1 (PP < or = 40 mmHg, n=2,127), PP.2 (40 < or = PP < or = 44 mmHg, n=2,127), PP.3 (44 < or = PP < or = 50 mmHg, n=2,127) and PP.4 (50 mmHg < or = PP, n=2,127). Multiple regression analysis was used for evaluating the association between PP and cardiovascular risk factor or lifestyle. In men, the regression coefficient was 0.27 for age, 2.50 for diabetes mellitus, 0.33 for uric acid, 0.20 for body mass index, 0.07 for heart rate, -0.83 for current smoking habit and 1.23 for habitual drinking. In women, the regression coefficient was 0.37 for age, 4.09 for diabetes mellitus, 0.42 for body mass index, 0.14 for heart rate, and 0.84 for habitual exercise. In both men and women, PP was significantly increased in association with an increase in the number of risk factors (diabetes mellitus, obesity, current drinking status, heart rate, and hyperuricemia). In conclusion, higher PP was associated with cardiovascular risk factors. These associations were similar in both men and women.

Adult↗

Estimated protein intake and blood pressure in a screened cohort in Okinawa, Japan.

We examined the relation between protein intake and blood pressure in a screened cohort in Okinawa, Japan. A total of 1,299 screened subjects, 885 men and 414 women, were examined at the Okinawa General Health Maintenance Association. Daily intake of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) was estimated from Na, K, and creatinine excretion by the method of Kawasaki et al., and daily protein intake was estimated by the method of Maroni et al. as the estimated daily urinary excretion of urea nitrogen. Mean (SD) daily protein intake was 71.8 (18.6) g in men and 54.0 (13.5) g in women, and the mean (SD) daily protein intake per unit kg body weight was 1.1 (0.2) g/kg in men and 1.0 (0.2) g/kg in women. In men, both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were higher in those with lower protein intake (LP; < 1.0 g/kg/day) than in those with higher protein intake (HP; > or = 1.0 g/kg/day) (p < 0 .05 for DBP). In women, both SBP and DBP were higher in those with LP than in those with HP, but these differences were not statistically significant. However, urinary excretion of both Na and K was lower in those with LP than in those with HP, respectively, both in men and women (p < 0.0001). In summary, estimated daily protein intake was about 1.1 g/kg in men and 1.0 g/kg in women. Despite the higher urinary excretion of Na, both SBP and DBP tended to be lower in those with higher daily protein intake, particularly in men.

Adult↗

Demographic trends in the Okinawa Dialysis Study (OKIDS) registry (1971-2000).

BACKGROUND: The clinical demographics of chronic dialysis patients are changing worldwide. However, long-term data from regional dialysis registries have not yet been analyzed and reported. METHODS: The Okinawa Dialysis Study (OKIDS) registry included all chronic dialysis patients treated in Okinawa, Japan, since 1971. Data for the years 1971 to 1990 were analyzed to predict trends for 1991 to 2000. The predicted values were then compared to the actual values and analyzed statistically, with particular attention being paid to relative risk of death. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis was done to analyze the time factors of relative risk of death. RESULTS: A total of 5246 patients (2981 men and 2265 women) were registered and the total duration of observation was 28,431 patient-years. The prevalence and incidence of dialysis patients expressed per million population were 2320 and 297, respectively, in 2000, values that were significantly higher (P < 0.02 for both) than the predicted values. The gross mortality rate per 1000 patient-years was 118.4 for 1971 to 1980, 63.3 for 1981 to 1990, and 77.7 for 1991 to 2000. The adjusted hazards ratio (95% confidence interval) for mortality was 0.743 (0.650 to 0.862) for 1981-1990 and 0.721 (0.659 to 0.790) for 1991 to 2000 in comparison to the risk of mortality in 1971 to 1980. The decrease in mortality rate was largely due to the drop in cardiac deaths from 71.0 for 1971 to 1980 to 17.2 for 1991 to 2000. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and prevalence of chronic dialysis patients increased more than expected over the past decade in Okinawa, Japan. Despite the rapid change in patient demographics, the survival rate did not decrease significantly.

Adolescent↗

Pulse pressure and risk of total mortality and cardiovascular events in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Pulse pressure (PP) has been shown as a risk factor for mortality or cardiovascular events in several studies. However, the impact of PP on prognosis in a cohort of chronic hemodialysis patients has not been sufficiently studied. We examined the effect of PP on total mortality and cardiovascular events in chronic hemodialysis patients, and whether PP adds useful value to systolic blood pressure (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) for predicting total mortality and cardiovascular events in chronic hemodialysis patients. METHODS: Chronic hemodialysis patients (N=1243, 720 men, 523 women) alive on January 1, 1991 at baseline were involved in this study. Cox regression, adjusted for age, sex, and other risk factors, was used to assess the relation between blood pressure components and risk of death and cardiovascular events over a nine-year follow-up. RESULTS: The association with the risk of total mortality was positive for PP (P=0.002) and SBP (P=0.04), but not significant for DBP (P=0.4), considering each pressure individually (single blood pressure component model, SPM); of the three measurements, PP yielded the highest chi2 value. When SBP and DBP were jointly entered into the Cox regression model (dual blood pressure component model, DPM), the association with the risk of total mortality was positive for SBP (HR, 1.083; 95% CI, 1.030 to 1.137) and negative for DBP (HR, 0.886; 0.808 to 0.970). After the addition of diabetes mellitus as an adjusted variable to the model, PP was not a significant predictor for total mortality; PP was a significant predictor for total mortality in non-diabetic patients, but not in diabetic patients. PP was positively associated with the risk of stroke, and stroke and AMI; however, predictive value of PP for each endpoint was not superior to SBP and DBP in SPM. In DPM with SBP and DBP, the association with the risk of stroke and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was positive for SBP (P=0.02) but not significant for DBP (P=0.5). In DPM with SBP and PP, the association with the risk of stroke and AMI was positive for SBP (P=0.01) but not significant for PP (P=0.5). CONCLUSIONS: In non-diabetic patients on chronic hemodialysis, PP was an independent predictor of total mortality. PP was more potent predictor of total mortality than SBP or DBP. For predicting cardiovascular events, SBP was superior to PP or DBP.

Adult↗

Hypocholesterolemia is a significant predictor of death in a cohort of chronic hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Although hypocholesterolemia is common in chronic hemodialysis patients, its effect on survival has not been studied in a large patients population. METHODS: A cohort of chronic hemodialysis patients (N = 1167) was prospectively followed from January 1991 to January 2001. The survival impact of this cohort, who were divided according to different baseline levels of serum cholesterol, were calculated with the multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis after adjusting for baseline clinical and laboratory variables. RESULTS: During the study period, 567 (48.6%) patients died. The mean (SD) baseline level of serum cholesterol was 171.0 (40.8) mg/dL and ranged from 76 to 378 mg/dL. The five-year survival rate was highest (0.812) in the subgroup that had a serum cholesterol range of 200 to 219 mg/dL and was lowest (0.608) in the subgroup with serum cholesterol values of <140 mg/dL. The five-year survival rate was 0.735 in the subgroup with serum cholesterol of > or =220 mg/dL. Serum cholesterol was a significant predictor of death with an adjusted hazards ratio (95% confidence interval) was 0.939 (0.891 to 0.989). In a subgroup of patients with serum albumin values > or =4.5 g/dL (N = 128), the adjusted hazards ratio was even greater at 1.370 (1.105 to 1.692). Other than sex, body mass index and serum albumin were significant determinants of baseline levels of serum cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: Hypocholesterolemia was an independent predictor of death in patients on chronic hemodialysis. This impact of hypercholesterolemia on survival was only evident in a subgroup of patients whose serum albumin was more than 4.5 g/dL.

Cholesterol↗

Influence of smoking and obesity on the development of proteinuria.

BACKGROUND: Proteinuria is a significant risk factor for end-stage renal disease. Previous evidence suggested that smoking and obesity increase the risk of proteinuria. However, it is unclear whether these risk factors predict the development of proteinuria independently of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of obesity and smoking on the development of proteinuria in a screened cohort of subjects with normal kidney function. METHODS: A total of 5403 subjects (3403 men and 2000 women) who participated in the 1997 and 1999 health screening examinations in Okinawa Japan, and who were normal renal function (serum creatinine < or =1.2 mg/dL in men, < or =1.0 mg/dL in women) and negative proteinuria by dipstick examination in 1997 were eligible for study. Logistic analysis was used to examine the relation between the baseline state of smoking or obesity in 1997, and the development of proteinuria in 1999, adjusted for age, sex, and other confounding factors. RESULTS: Proteinuria developed in 5.8% of participants (6.7% in men, 4.4% in women; dipstick score, 1+ in 277, 2+ in 37, and > or =3+ in 4 participants). The incidence of proteinuria was positively associated with the number of cigarettes smoked per day (P = 0.04), and a body mass index (P < 0.0001) at baseline. Analysis showed that the relative risk (95% confidence interval) of developing proteinuria was 1.32 (1.00 to 1.74), P = 0.04 for cigarette smoking, 1.45 (1.13 to 1.86), P = 0.002 for obesity, 1.56 (1.19 to 2.06), P = 0.001 for hypertension, and 2.27 (1.55 to 3.32), P < 0.0001 for diabetes mellitus. Stratified with men and women, the relative risk was 1.28 (0.96 to 1.72), P = 0.09 for smoking, and 1.60 (1.19 to 2.14), P = 0.001 for obesity in men; the relative risk was 1.30 (0.44 to 3.80), P = 0.62 for smoking, and 1.04 (0.63 to 1.72), P = 0.87 for obesity in women. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were superior to smoking and obesity in predicting the development of proteinuria in all subjects. Stratified with men and women, obesity was a significant risk factor for the development of proteinuria independently of both hypertension and diabetes mellitus in men. The risk of developing proteinuria also tended to be increased with cigarette smoking in men. Smoking and obesity in women were not significant in this data set.

Adult↗

Triglyceride, but not total cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, predict development of proteinuria.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data about the relationship between dyslipidemia and proteinuria are sparse. We conducted a retrospective and longitudinal study in a large screened cohort to evaluate whether triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels increase the risk of development of proteinuria and loss of renal function. METHODS: Post hoc analysis was performed for 4326 subjects who were free from proteinuria (dipstick 1+ or higher) at baseline (1997) with a follow-up period through 2000. Outcome measures were the development of proteinuria (1+ or higher) and change in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Multiple logistic analysis and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze baseline characteristics related to the outcome measures. RESULTS: During the observational period, 505 (11.7%) of subjects had one or more episodes of proteinuria (>/=1+). Adjusted relative risk of triglycerides for one or more incidences of proteinuria was 1.007 (95% CI 1.000 to 1.105, P = 0.04) in men and 1.032 (95% CI 1.004 to 1.061, P = 0.02) in women. Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol were not significant predictors of proteinuria. The mean change in GFR between 1997 and 2000 was -6.3 (SD = 9.0) mL/min/1.73 m2 in men, and -7.8 (SD = 10.7) mL/min/1.73 m2 in women. HDL cholesterol (beta = 0.04, t = 3.7, P = 0.0002) in men and triglycerides (per 10 mg/dL, beta = -0.09, t = -2.2, P = 0.02) in women were correlated with the change in GFR. CONCLUSIONS: High triglyceride levels predicted a risk of developing proteinuria in both men and women, but not total cholesterol nor LDL cholesterol. High triglyceride in women and low HDL cholesterol in men predicted the decline of renal function. It remains to be determined whether prospective treatment of dyslipidemia will protect against renal injury.

Adult↗

Evidence for elevated pulse pressure in patients on chronic hemodialysis: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Few analyses have compared pulse pressure (PP) values in hemodialysis patients with healthy individuals, and they have provided only limited data. We retrospectively examined PP in a large cohort of hemodialysis patients and healthy control subjects. METHODS: The relationships of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and PP to mean arterial pressure (MAP) levels were investigated in 234 chronic hemodialysis patients and in 682 control subjects matched for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, and body mass index. RESULTS: In both control and patients, PP was positively correlated with MAP, and the two regression lines were parallel (beta of control subjects = 0.52; beta of hemodialysis patients = 0.57, P = 0.48). According to the regression line, at any MAP level, the PP in hemodialysis patients was significantly higher than that in control subjects: the mean PP difference between control and patients was 19.2 mm Hg (95% CI, 17.2 to 21.1 mm Hg, P < 0.0001). When the relationships between MAP and SBP and that between MAP and DBP were analyzed, the regression lines were also parallel. However, at any MAP level, SBP was higher and DBP was lower in hemodialysis patients than control subjects; the mean SBP difference was 12.8 mm Hg (95% CI, 11.5 to 14.1 mm Hg, P < 0.0001) and mean DBP difference was 6.4 mm Hg (95% CI, 5.7 to 7.0 mm Hg, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: At any MAP level, hemodialysis patients had a higher SBP, lower DBP, and higher PP values than those control subjects with a normal renal function who were matched for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, and body mass index. Further study is needed to determine whether preventing or reducing an elevated PP improves the prognosis for hemodialysis patients.

Adult↗

A patient with adult-onset type II citrullinemia on long-term hemodialysis: reversal of clinical symptoms and brain MRI findings.

A 40-year-old woman was referred for several episodes of coma lasting from 2 hours to 2 days. She had been on maintenance hemodialysis for polycystic kidney disease for 9 months. Laboratory findings showed high serum levels of ammonia and citrulline, and a diagnosis of adult-onset type II citrullinemia was made. Multiple areas of focal brain edema were shown by magnetic resonance imaging. The clinical manifestations of coma and abnormal behavior were resolved with intensified dialysis (ie, four 5-hour sessions per week with glycerol and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis). No abnormal shadow was present on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging. Such intensified dialysis therapy may be effective for adult-onset type II citrullinemia and may be applicable even in patients who do not have end-stage renal disease if liver transplant is not an option.

Adult↗

Analysis of drug prescription in chronic haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Information concerning medication use in Asian haemodialysis patients is sparse. We surveyed prescribed medications and examined the relation between the number of medications and mortality and clinical characteristics in chronic haemodialysis patients, in Okinawa, Japan. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional multicentre survey in August 1999 and patients were observed during 13 months of follow up. RESULTS: The clinical demographics of 850 chronic haemodialysis patients in seven dialysis units were obtained. Compared with the mean number of medications prescribed in ambulatory patients treated in general practice reported from Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan (2.7 (n=20 716)), the mean number medications in haemodialysis patients was larger (7.2 (n=850)). The three most prescribed drug types in haemodialysis patients were those related to calcium and phosphate metabolism (88%), antihypertensive agents (71%), and erythropoietin (60%). Among the 850 patients, 38 died during the 13-month follow-up period. The number of medications was positively associated with mortality after adjusting for age, sex, and other clinical factors: the hazard ratio was 1.14 (95% confidence interval 1.03-1.26, P=0.007). A multiple linear regression analysis using the number of medications as a dependent factor and sex and other clinical characteristics as independent factors revealed that male sex (P=0.04), diabetes mellitus (P<0.0001), and duplication of drugs (P<0.0001) were positively correlated with the number of medications. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple drug use was observed in haemodialysis patients. The number of prescribed drugs was a significant predictor of short-term mortality. Male sex, diabetes mellitus, and duplication of drugs were correlated with increases in the number of medications.

Adult↗

Prevalence and correlates of diabetes mellitus in a screened cohort in Okinawa, Japan.

The incidence of end-stage renal disease due to diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing. There have been too few epidemiological studies of the predictors of DM nephropathy, particularly type 2 DM, among a statistically significant population. We studied the prevalence and correlates of DM in a screened cohort in Okinawa, Japan. A total of 9,914 screenees (6,163 men and 3,751 women) over 18 years of age underwent a 1-day health check at the Okinawa General Health Maintenance Association between April 1997 and March 1998. Subjects were considered to have DM if they showed a fasting plasma glucose > or = 126 mg/dl and hemoglobin A1c > or = 7.0%, or if they were receiving treatment for DM. Non-DM subjects were followed-up until March 2000 to see whether or not they developed DM. Relative risk for developing DM was evaluated by Cox proportional hazard analysis after adjusting for confounding variables. A total of 673 screenees (520 men and 153 women) were diagnosed with DM. The prevalence of DM was 67.9 per 1,000 screenees (84.4 for men and 40.8 for women). A total of 7,125 non-DM screenees were examined a second time. Among them, 164 screenees (130 men and 34 women) had developed DM during the follow-up period. Over 2 years, the cumulative incidence of DM was 2.3% (2.9% in men and 1.3% in women). The adjusted relative risk (95% confidence interval) for developing DM was highest for proteinuria, or 1.90 (1.14-3.17). The results indicated that the prevalence and incidence of DM were high among this screened cohort in Okinawa, Japan. Subjects with proteinuria may thus be at high risk for developing DM.

Adult↗

Urinary excretion of sodium and potassium in a screened cohort in Okinawa, Japan.

Information regarding daily intake of sodium (Na) is useful for both normotensive and hypertensive subjects. We measured urinary excretion of sodium (U-Na) and urinary excretion of potassium (U-K) to estimate daily salt intake in a cohort of health screening subjects in Okinawa, Japan. Urine samples were obtained from 2,411 subjects (1,554 men and 857 women) who were examined on a half-day dry-doc at the Okinawa General Health Maintenance Association (OGHMA). Four hundred and one subjects were examined twice, once between September and November in 1997, and once between September and November in 1998. The mean U-Na was 182 mEq/day for men and 176 mEq/day for women. The mean U-K was 54 mEq/day for men and 50 mEq/day for women. U-Na was higher in young men, and U-K was lower in young women. In both men and women, smokers had a significantly lower Na excretion compared to nonsmokers. Subjects treated for hypertension had a significantly lower Na excretion (173 mEq/day) compared to subjects not treated for hypertension (192 mEq/day). Our findings suggest that Na excretion in screened subjects in Okinawa is lower than the national average. Sodium excretion, however, was higher in young men than in elderly subjects, and K excretion was lower in young women than in elderly subjects. Both trends are disadvantageous for controlling hypertension.

Adult↗

Impact of multiple risk factor clustering on the elevation of blood pressure.

A family history of hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia have all been associated with risk of hypertension. We retrospectively conducted a longitudinal study in a large screened cohort to explore the effect of the clustering of these five risk factors on the elevation of blood pressure (BP) in normotensive subjects at baseline. The study group comprised 4,857 normotensive subjects not treated with antihypertensive drugs (systolic BP < 140 mmHg, diastolic BP < 90 mmHg, 3,111 men and 1,746 women) who were followed up from 1997 to 1999. By 1999, 360 subjects had BP at the hypertensive level (systolic BP > or = 140 mmHg or diastolic BP > or = 90 mmHg). The incidence of subjects whose BP became hypertensive was 37 per 1,000 person-years. After adjusting for age, sex, systolic BP and other clinical factors, multiple logistic analysis showed that the relative risk of BP elevation was 1.49 (95% Cl: 1.09 to 2.05) in subjects with one risk factor; 1.65 (95% Cl: 1.15 to 2.27) in those with two risk factors; 1.42 (95% Cl: 0.91 to 2.32) in those with three; and 4.86 (95% Cl: 2.58 to 9.16) in those with four or more when compared with subjects with no risk factors. Multiple regression analysis showed that the number of risk factors was positively correlated with an increase in BP from 1997 to 1999; the regression coefficient was 0.51 (p = 0.001) for increase in systolic BP, and 0.31 (p = 0.008) for increase in diastolic BP after adjusting for age and sex. In conclusion, clustering of risk factors significantly predicted the development of hypertension.

Adult↗