Undernutrition and Oxidative Stress as Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure in Older Mexican Adults

Objective: To determine the relationship between undernutrition and oxidative stress as risk factors for high blood pressure (HBP) in older Mexican adults. We carried out a case-control study in a convenience sample of 62 older adults, 60-80 years of age; 32 without HBP (mean age 75.8 +/- 5.1 years) and 30 with HBP (mean age 65.2 +/- 6.8 years). Methods: We measured serum lipoperoxide (LPO) levels, antioxidant enzymes, total antioxidant activity and lipid profile; in addition, we evaluated the nutritional status with anthropometric measurements, the Mini Nutritional Assessment and food intake frequency. Data were analyzed with Student t and odds ratio (OR) statistical tests. Results: We observed significantly higher LPO levels in subjects with HBP than in normotensive subjects (0.303 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.256 +/- 0.06 mu mol/l; p < 0.05). With respect to risk factors for HBP, we found an OR of 12.2 (95% CI 1.9-76.4, p < 0.01) in subjects with high LPO levels (>= 0.320 mu mol/l) and an OR of 5.0 (95% CI 1.1-23.0, p < 0.05) in those with undernutrition. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that high LPO levels and undernutrition are significant risk factors for HBP. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel