Abstract

Objective: The relationship between inflammation and prehypertension has never been documented in adolescent females in Australia, where obesity is prevalent. We aimed to investigate the association between high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), obesity and prehypertension in young Australian females. Design and Method: Women aged 16–25 years, living in Victoria, were randomly recruited via targeted Facebook advertising for the Young Female Health Initiative and Safe-D studies. Socio-demographic information was collected via a web-based questionnaire. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were conducted by trained staff. Hs-CRP was measured using the Abbott Architect assay. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine associations between body mass index (BMI), hs-CRP and prehypertension, adjusted for age, socio-economic indices, physical activity and smoking. Results: Demographic data were available for 639 females (mean ± SD age 22 ± 3) and blood pressure data for 513 participants. Approximately 28% had prehypertension (≥ 120–139/80–89 mmHg) and 3% had morbid hypertension (≥ 140/90 mmHg). Approximately 26% had a hs-CRP level ≥ 3.0 mg/L (reference range: 1.0–3.0 mg/L). Additionally, 20% were overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and 10% were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). In multivariable analyses, females who were overweight (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.3, p = 0.02) or obese (OR, 6.0 95% CI 2.7–13.3, p < 0.001) were more likely to have prehypertension compared with those with a BMI in the normal range (18.5–24.9 kg/m2). Elevated hs-CRP levels (≥ 5 mg/L) were also associated with an increased risk of prehypertension (OR, 2.2 95% CI 1.2–4.0, p = 0.01). Conclusions: The high prevalence of prehypertension is of concern in this sample of 16 to 25 year old Australian females. Positive associations were detected between hs-CRP, obesity and prehypertension, despite the absence of cardiovascular disease in this sample. Therefore, blood pressure lowering strategies directed at young Australian females should be developed to potentially reduce future risk of cardiovascular disease.

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