U-shaped association between BMI and the risk of PAD in Chinese hypertensive population
Abstract Background: High body mass index (BMI) is a well-recognized risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. But its role in peripheral artery disease (PAD) remains perplexing. Our study evaluated the association of BMI with PAD in Chinese hypertensive population. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with enrollment data from the Chinese H-type Hypertension Registry.10896 hypertensive patients aged ≥18 years were included in the final analysis. Results: The prevalence of PAD diagnosed by ABI in this study was 3.2% (n=351). A U-shaped relationship between BMI and PAD was found. Per SD increment (3.6 kg/m2) on the left side of the BMI threshold (BMI < 25.7 kg/m2) was associated with a 27% decreased in the adjusted risk of PAD [OR, 0.73; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60, 0.89; P=0.002]; BMI was significantly positively associated with the risk of PAD (OR, 1.52; 95% CI 1.52, 1.93; P=0.001) in those with BMI ≥25.7 kg/m2. Conclusion: A “U-shaped” relationship between BMI and the risk of PAD in Chinese hypertensive population was found. BMI with the lowest risk of PAD was estimated to be 25.7 kg/m2.
