title: N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide and cardiovascular function in Africans and Caucasians: the SAfrEIC study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study compared NT-proBNP levels and the association with cardiovascular markers between Africans and Caucasians from South Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study involved 201 Africans and 255 Caucasians from the North West province, South Africa. Serum NT-proBNP concentrations, blood pressure, pulse wave velocity and arterial compliance were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher (P<0.001) in Africans than Caucasians, also after adjusting for gender, body mass index (BMI) and pulse wave velocity (P=0.008). This significant difference became borderline significant after adjusting for systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P=0.060), and non-significant after adjusting for arterial compliance (P=0.35). In single regression, a significant positive correlation of NT-proBNP with SBP (r=0.26; P<0.001) and pulse pressure (PP) (r=0.28; P<0.001) were shown for Africans only. After multiple adjustments, the associations of NT-proBNP with SBP and PP remained significant in Africans (SBP: β=0.187, P<0.01; PP: β=0.234, P<0.001), with no significant associations in Caucasians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NT-proBNP levels were higher in Africans than Caucasians, independently of BMI and gender. This difference was partly driven by higher SBP and lower arterial compliance in Africans. NT-proBNP was persistently associated with SBP and PP in Africans, but not in Caucasians. These associations may suggest early vascular changes contributing to cardiac alterations in Africans.
authors: Hypertension in Africa Research Team, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors: Ruan
authors: R
authors: Kruger
authors: Rudolph
authors: R
authors: Schutte
authors: Hugo W
authors: HW
authors: Huisman
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Hindersson
authors: Michael H
authors: MH
authors: Olsen
authors: Aletta E
authors: AE
authors: Schutte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D044383:Black People; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D015995:Prevalence; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain