Incidence and Associated Risk Factors of Hypertension among Apparently Healthy Adult Filipinos in the LIFECARE Philippine Cohort Study.

Objective: This study aimed to estimate the incidence of hypertension and determine the risk factors for hypertension among apparently healthy adult Filipinos.

Methods: This observational prospective community-based study included apparently healthy adult individuals aged 20-50 years from the Life Course Study in Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology (LIFECARE) Philippine cohort at baseline and followed-up after an average of four years. Sociodemographic data, psychosocial stress, and clinical and metabolic profiles were obtained and analyzed. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with the development of hypertension.

Results: A total of 2,089 non-hypertensive participants were included, with 59% women and average age of 35 years (SD = 8.4). The incidence rate of hypertension was 38.1 per 1,000 person-years. The cumulative incidence of hypertension over a mean follow-up time of four years was 15.4% (95% CI = 13.9-17.0%). The risk of incident hypertension was higher among males (aHR=1.3, 95% CI: 1.0-1.8; p=0.044), ≥40 years old (aHR=3.9, 95% CI: 2.6-5.8; p<0.001), family history of hypertension (aHR=1.4, 95% CI: 1.1-1.7; p=0.007), abdominal obesity (aHR=1.4, 95% CI: 1.0-2.0; p=0.027), baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) of at least 130 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of at least 80 mm Hg (aHR=5.1, 95% CI: 3.8-6.8; p<0.001).

Conclusion: The 4-year incidence rate of hypertension among apparently healthy adult Filipinos is high. Increased age, male sex, family history of hypertension, abdominal obesity, and high normal blood pressure were significantly associated with the development of hypertension.