Biomarker Differences between Controlled and Uncontrolled Hypertension among US Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2010.

This study aims to determine biomarker differences between controlled and uncontrolled hypertension using nationally representative samples. Those in the uncontrolled hypertension group were more likely to have CVD (p=0.0258) and diabetes (p=0.0004), less likely to meet the recommended waist circumference (p=0.0039) and BMI (p=0.0209), and less likely to drink alcohol (p=0.0002) than those in the controlled hypertension group, after controlling for demographic variables. Upon controlling for demographic variables, risk factors and diseases related to hypertension, those in the uncontrolled hypertension group had higher total cholesterol (p<.0001), HDL (p=0.0702, marginally significant), LDL (p<.0001), triglycerides (p=0.0702, marginally significant), apolipoprotein B (p<.0001), transferrin receptor (p=0.0692, marginally significant), and ACR (p<.0001) than those in the controlled hypertension group.

conclusionOur study found that ACR, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, and transferrin receptor are biomarkers associated with the risk of uncontrolled hypertension compared to controlled hypertension. Since uncontrolled hypertension is linked to very high risks of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, our findings may provide a partial answer to why antihypertensive treatment is ineffective for certain groups of patients. Further studies are warranted to examine the cause of uncontrolled hypertension.