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A relation between blood pressure and stiffness of joints and skin
Cuno S P M Uiterwaal1, Diederick E Grobbee, Ralph J B Sakkers
1Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Ulrecht, The Netherlands. c.s.p.m.uiterwaal@jc.azu.nl
Insights
In healthy children, greater joint mobility correlated with lower diastolic blood pressure, and increased skin extensibility was linked to lower pulse pressure, suggesting a link between body tissue stiffness and blood pressure.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Biomechanical Properties
Background:
- Blood pressure, especially pulse pressure, is linked to arterial stiffness.
- Limited understanding exists regarding blood pressure's relationship with stiffness in other body tissues.
- This study investigates blood pressure in children concerning various tissue stiffness indicators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between blood pressure levels and tissue stiffness in young, healthy children.
- To explore if generalized body tissue stiffness relates to blood pressure parameters.
Main Methods:
- Studied 95 healthy prepubertal children (ages 8-10) in the Netherlands.
- Analyzed systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressures against joint mobility and skin extensibility.
- Adjusted for potential confounders like age, sex, height, weight, and muscle strength.
Main Results:
- Lower diastolic blood pressure was associated with increased active joint mobility.
- Higher skin extensibility correlated with lower pulse pressure, driven by higher diastolic and potentially lower systolic blood pressure.
- These associations remained independent after adjustments.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest a link between the body's inherent tissue stiffness and blood pressure levels in children.
- This association may have implications for future cardiovascular risk assessment.
Background:
Blood pressure, particularly pulse pressure, is associated with arterial wall stiffness, but little is known about its relation to stiffness of other parts of the body. We examined the extent to which blood pressure levels in young healthy children are related to stiffness of various tissues.
Methods:
In November 2000, we studied 95 healthy prepubertal children (41 boys and 54 girls, within age range 8-10 years) from two primary schools in the city of Zeist, The Netherlands. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse pressure were analyzed in relation to various tissue indicators of stiffness, including active joint mobility and skin extensibility. All results were adjusted for age, sex, body height, body weight and muscle strength as possible confounders.
Results:
Diastolic blood pressure was lower with increased active joint mobility (multivariate generalized linear regression coefficient = -4.5 mmHg per standard deviation [SD] joint mobility; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -7.8 to -1.2). Pulse pressure was lower with increased skin extensibility (-3.2 mmHg per SD skin extensibility; CI = -5.2 to -1.1), through a higher diastolic blood pressure (2.0 mmHg per SD skin extensibility; CI = 0.2-3.9) and possibly lower systolic blood pressure (-0.8 mmHg per SD skin extensibility; CI = -3.5 to 1.9). These associations were mutually independent. Additional adjustment for reported musculoskeletal problems or physical activity levels did not materially change the findings.
Conclusions:
Our findings support the hypothesis that constitutional stiffness of body tissues may be associated with blood pressure levels and eventually cardiovascular risk.