[Factors associated with arterial distensibility in hypertension].
OBJECTIVE
To find out what variables affect changes in arterial compliance in subjects with hypertension by measuring their pulse wave velocity (PWV).


METHODS
Cross-sectional, descriptive study.


METHODS
Rural health centre.


METHODS
156 hypertense patients under 76, chosen by simple random sampling from those on the hypertension register.


METHODS
We determined the degree of hypertension, years of evolution, systolic pressure (SBP), diastolic pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), glucaemia, whether lipaemia existed, diabetes or glucose intolerance, tobacco habit, age, sex and PWV (measured automatically by computer). We performed multivariate analysis by means of multiple linear regression, with PWV as the dependent variable, and age, SBP, DBP, BMI, years of evolution of hypertension, cholesterol, triglycerides and glucaemia as independent variables.


RESULTS
Mean age 62.5 (SD 8.8). 28.2% male. Mean SBP 153 (SD 18.9). Mean DBP 87 (SD 10.3). Mean years of evolution 10.4 (SD 7.4). Mean BMI 31.2 (SD 4.9). Hyperglucaemia 24.4%. Mean glucaemia 111.3 (SD 29). Mean PWV 11.82 (SD 2.37). PWV was above the theoretically normal figures in 69.2% of cases. Multiple linear regression showed that the variables which affected PWV significantly were age, SBP and hyperglucaemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Arterial compliance can be improved by controlling SBP, given that the other related factors cannot be changed.
Centro de Salud de Cabañaquinta-Aller, Asturias.
M J
MJ
Fernández-Marcos
A
A
Menéndez-Pertierra
J E
JE
Cimas
E
E
Carril
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011674:Pulse