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Quantitative analysis of systolic blood pressure tracking during childhood and adolescence using a tracking index:
1Department of Paediatrics, Shimane Medical University, Izumo, Japan.
Insights
Blood pressure tracking in children and adolescents was quantified using a novel index. This study found that systolic blood pressure tracking improves with age, particularly after 12 years old.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Tracking of blood pressure in childhood and adolescence is crucial for predicting adult cardiovascular health.
- Previous methods for assessing blood pressure tracking have limitations in quantitative analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively analyze blood pressure tracking in Japanese children and adolescents using a newly developed tracking index.
- To evaluate how the degree of blood pressure tracking changes with age and differs between sexes.
Main Methods:
- A tracking index was calculated based on changes in blood pressure quintiles over time.
- Longitudinal data from 463 Japanese children (cohort 1: 6-12 years; cohort 2: 9-15 years) were analyzed.
- Correlation coefficients between serial blood pressure measurements were examined.
Main Results:
- The tracking index showed transient decreases between 9-12 years and increased thereafter in both sexes.
- Blood pressure tracking was generally higher in girls than boys, except from 12-15 years.
- Correlation coefficients for blood pressure increased with age, indicating enhanced tracking.
Conclusions:
- The developed tracking index effectively quantifies the degree of blood pressure tracking.
- Systolic blood pressure demonstrates robust tracking throughout childhood and adolescence.
- The magnitude of blood pressure tracking significantly increases after age 12 in both boys and girls.
Abstract:
We used a tracking index to carry out a quantitative analysis of blood pressure tracking in children and adolescents. The index was calculated according to changes in blood pressure quintiles for the whole population during the observation period. The study population consisted of 463 Japanese children living in Izumo, who were examined every 3 years from 6 to 12 years of age in cohort 1, and from 9 to 15 years of age in cohort 2. In both sexes, the tracking index decreased transiently during the period from 9 to 12 years of age and increased again thereafter. The index was higher in girls than in boys except for the period from 12 to 15 years. Correlation coefficients between blood pressure at the first and that at the second examination increased with age in both sexes. We conclude that the tracking index could quantify the degree of tracking. Systolic blood pressure tracked well during childhood and adolescence, and the degree of tracking increased after the age of 12 years in both sexes.