Dietary pattern associated with C-reactive protein and trajectories of blood pressure in Chinese adults: Evidence from the China Health and Nutrition Survey.

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the relationship between a dietary pattern associated with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and trajectories of blood pressure in Chinese adults.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study consisted of 7020 adults using three waves of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (2009, 2011 and 2015). Group-based trajectory modelling was used to identify trajectories of blood pressure. The dietary pattern associated with C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured using the reduced rank regression method. Logistic regression models were fit to explore the associations of the scores on inflammation-related dietary patterns and trajectories of blood pressure.

RESULTS

We identified a dietary pattern associated with CRP at baseline, which was high in red meat, snacks and nuts, but low in grains, poultry and fish. The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) pertaining to the highest dietary pattern score group for the high-normal systolic blood pressure (SBP) group and the high SBP group were 1.316 (1.155-1.498) and 1.295 (1.030-1.627), respectively. However, no significant association was observed between dietary patterns and trajectories of diastolic blood pressure (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary pattern associated with CRP resulted in higher risk of high-normal and high levels of SBP.