Prehypertension and its optimal indicator among adults in Hubei Province, Central China, 2013-2015

Hypertension accounts for 7% of the annual global disease burden, despite great efforts to counter this trend. Thus, interventions targeted at prehypertension might lead to a breakthrough for hypertension prevention. This study focused on the prevalence of prehypertension among adults in Central China and the best indicator of prehypertension, which would provide the basis for future interventions.

This cross-sectional study was conducted using multistage stratified random sampling in seven counties in Hubei Province. Data from 30,634 survey respondents were analyzed using logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve statistical tests, for the prevalence of prehypertension and the predictive ability of body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and waist circumference (WC) for prehypertension.

The prevalence of prehypertension in adults was 42.2%. The following factors contributed to the risk of prehypertension: male sex, elder age, divorce/separation, drinking, heavy labor intensity, and high BMI (p < 0.05). Being a farmer and exercise exhibited positive associations with prehypertension (p < 0.05). Compared with BMI and WHtR, WC had a higher predictive value for prehypertension (area under ROC curve, AUC = 0.630, 95% confidence interval: 0.623-0.637, p < 0.0001), especially for men. The optimal cutoffs of WC for prehypertension were 79.95 cm in men and 76.85 cm in women.

The prehypertension rate in adults was high in Central China. Significant factors related to hypertension were identified. More interventions targeting individuals with WC above the cutoff level are needed for timely awareness of prehypertension and early prevention of hypertension.