Karatzi Kalliopi, Protogerou Athanase D, Moschonis George, Tsirimiagou Christiana, Androutsos Odysseas, Chrousos George P, Lionis Christos, Manios Yannis
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, Greece.
Cardiovascular Prevention and Research Unit, Department of Pathophysiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
Atherosclerosis. 2017 Apr;259:128-133. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.01.027. Epub 2017 Jan 21.
Childhood hypertension is a constantly increasing health problem. Data regarding its prevalence and particularly the prevalence of its phenotypes in the Greek population are limited; therefore, the aim of the study was to determine them in a large sample of Greek children.
A sample of 2655 schoolchildren (9-13 years) participated in the Healthy Growth Study, i.e. a cross-sectional epidemiologic study conducted in 77 primary schools in four large regions in Greece. This study shows results on 2571 children (1286 boys), for whom full data on systolic and diastolic blood pressure indices were available, as well as physical examination, anthropometric and physical activity data.
The observed prevalence rates were: prehypertension, 14.2%; stage 1 hypertension, 15.7%; and stage 2 hypertension, 7.3%. Girls had substantially higher hypertension prevalence than boys (25.3% vs. 20.8%). The prevalence rates for prehypertension and stage 2 hypertension were higher in younger than older children (22.4 vs. 13.7% and 8.6 vs. 7.5% respectively), while stage 1 hypertension was higher in children >12 years old compared to younger children (14.9 vs. 12.1%). Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) was the most prevalent phenotype (11.9%). Moreover, presence of hypertension was positively associated with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in both genders, and with sedentary behaviors only in boys.
The prevalence of hypertension in Greek children and adolescents is alarming and among the highest reported in European countries, while the differences between genders in hypertension phenotype prevalence also provide valuable insight on this problem. The present data may guide future public health initiatives to tackle childhood hypertension in Greece.
儿童高血压是一个日益严重的健康问题。关于其在希腊人群中的患病率，尤其是其表型患病率的数据有限；因此，本研究的目的是在大量希腊儿童样本中确定这些数据。
2655名9至13岁的学童参与了健康成长研究，即在希腊四个大区域的77所小学进行的一项横断面流行病学研究。本研究展示了2571名儿童（1286名男孩）的结果，这些儿童有完整的收缩压和舒张压指数数据，以及体格检查、人体测量和身体活动数据。
观察到的患病率为：高血压前期14.2%；1期高血压15.7%；2期高血压7.3%。女孩的高血压患病率显著高于男孩（25.3%对20.8%）。高血压前期和2期高血压的患病率在年幼儿童中高于年长儿童（分别为22.4%对13.7%和8.6%对7.5%），而1期高血压在12岁以上儿童中高于年幼儿童（14.9%对12.1%）。单纯收缩期高血压（ISH）是最常见的表型（11.9%）。此外，高血压的存在与男女两性的体重指数（BMI）和腰围呈正相关，且仅在男孩中与久坐行为相关。
希腊儿童和青少年高血压的患病率令人担忧，是欧洲国家报道中最高的之一，而高血压表型患病率的性别差异也为这一问题提供了有价值的见解。目前的数据可为希腊未来应对儿童高血压的公共卫生举措提供指导。
