ObjectiveTo investigate the association between cumulative atherogenic index of plasma （cumAIP） and the risk of new-onset nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） in young and middle-aged individuals. MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted among the young and middle-aged individuals （aged 18 to <60 years） in the Kailuan study cohort who underwent physical examination in Kailuan General Hospital and its 10 affiliated hospitals in June 2006 to October 2010， and after screening based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria， 33 987 individuals were included in the observation cohort. The individuals were divided into Q1， Q2， Q3， and Q4 groups based on the quantiles of cumAIP. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the cumulative incidence rate of new-onset NAFLD in the four groups， while the log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. A multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to obtain the hazard ratio （HR） and 95% confidence interval （CI） of the risk of new-onset NAFLD in the four groups. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups， and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical variables between groups. ResultsThe mean follow-up was 10.89±2.54 years， and there were 6 011 cases of new-onset NAFLD， including 995 cases in the Q1 group， 1 366 in the Q2 group， 1661 in the Q3 group， and 1 989 in the Q4 group， with an incidence density of 11.37， 16.02， 19.97， and 24.91 per thousand person-years. The log-rank test showed that there was a significant difference in cumulative incidence rate between the four groups （P<0.001）. With the presence or absence of NAFLD as the dependent variable and the quantiles of different exposure levels to cumAIP as the independent variable， the multivariate Cox regression model analysis showed that compared with the Q1 group， the Q2， Q3， and Q4 groups had an HR of 1.30 （95%CI： 1.20 — 1.41）， 1.52 （95%CI： 1.41 — 1.65）， and 1.79 （95%CI： 1.64 — 1.95）， respectively， for new-onset NAFLD， with a P_trend value of <0.001. With the presence or absence of new-onset NAFLD as the dependent variable and the cumulative exposure to AIP for 0， 2， 4， and 6 years as the independent variable， the Cox regression analysis showed that compared with cumulative exposure to AIP for 0 years， cumulative exposure to AIP for 2， 4， and 6 years had an HR of 1.24 （95%CI： 1.15 — 1.35）， 1.51 （95%CI： 1.40 — 1.64）， and 1.70 （95%CI： 1.56 — 1.84）， respectively， with a P_trend value of <0.001. A sensitivity analysis was performed after exclusion of the individuals with new-onset NAFLD within 2 years， the individuals who experienced atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events during follow-up， and the individuals taking antihypertensive， hypoglycemic， and lipid-lowering drugs， and the results were similar to those of the main analysis. Considering the competitive relationship between all-cause death and outcome events， a competing risk analysis of death was performed， which showed that the results of risk analysis were similar to those of the main analysis. ConclusionA high level of cumAIP exposure can increase the risk of new-onset NAFLD in young and middle-aged individuals.

Objective:To investigate the impact of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) level on major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and all-cause mortality in the Kailuan Study cohort undergoing revascularization.Methods:This is a prospective cohort study, with participants from the Kailuan Study cohort who participated in physical examinations from 2006 to 2020 and received revascularization therapy for the first time. According to the level of non-HDL-C, the study subjects were divided into 3 groups:<2.6 mmol/L group, 2.6-<3.4 mmol/L group, and≥3.4 mmol/L group. Annual follow-up was performed, and the endpoint events were MACCE and all-cause mortality. Cox proportional regression model was implemented to estimate the impact on MACCE and all-cause mortality associated with the different non-HDL-C groups. The partial distributed risk model was used to analyze the impact of different non-HDL-C levels on MACCE event subtypes, and death was regarded as a competitive event. The restricted cubic spline regression model was used to explore the dose-response relationship between non-HDL-C level and all-cause mortality, MACCE and its subtypes.Results:A total of 2 252 subjects were enrolled in the study, including 2 019 males (89.65%), aged (62.8±8.3) years, the follow-up time was 5.72 (3.18, 8.46) years. There were 384 cases(17.05%) of MACCE and 157 cases(6.97%) of all-cause mortality. Compared with patients with non-HDL-C≥3.4 mmol/L, patients with non-HDL-C<2.6 mmol/L were associated with a 38% reduced risk of MACCE after revascularization [ HR=0.62(95% CI: 0.48-0.80)]. Every 1 mmol/L decrease in non-HDL-C was associated with a 20% reduction in the risk of MACCE [ HR=0.80(95% CI: 0.73-0.88)]. The results of restricted cubic spline also showed that non-HDL-C levels after revascularization therapy were positively correlated with MACCE events (overall association P<0.001, non-linear association P=0.808). For all-cause mortality, compared to the non-HDL-C≥3.4 mmol/L group, the HR for all-cause mortality after revascularization in non-HDL-C<2.6 mmol/L group was 0.67(95% CI: 0.46-1.01). Every 1 mmol/L decrease in non-HDL-C was associated with a 15% reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality [ HR=0.85(95% CI: 0.73-0.99)]. The restricted cubic spline results showed a linear association between non-HDL-C levels after revascularization therapy and the risk of all-cause mortality (overall association P=0.039, non-linear association P=0.174). Conclusion:The decrease in non-HDL-C levels after revascularization were significantly associated with a reduced risk of MACCE and all-cause mortality.

Background::Arterial stiffening increases with age and blood pressure and is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the relationship between blood pressure lowering and arterial stiffening is still uncertain, especially in older people. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of intensive blood pressure treatment on the progression of arterial stiffness and risk of CVD in older patients with hypertension.Methods::The Strategy of Blood Pressure Intervention in the Elderly Hypertensive Patients (STEP) trial was a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial performed at 42 clinical centers throughout China, and 8511 patients aged 60–80 years with essential hypertension were enrolled and randomly assigned to systolic blood pressure (SBP) target of 110 mmHg to <130 mmHg (intensive treatment) or 130 mmHg to <150 mmHg (standard treatment). Patients underwent repeated examinations of the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) at baseline, and the arterial stiffness was evaluated at the 3-year follow-up. A total of 5339 patients who had twice repeated measurements were included in this study. Changes in arterial stiffness between the intensive and standard treatment groups were analyzed using a multivariate linear regression model. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate the effect of intensive treatment on primary CVD outcomes.Results::The changes in baPWV were 61.5 cm/s (95% confidence interval [CI]: 49.8–73.2 cm/s) in the intensive treatment group and 98.4 cm/s (95% CI: 86.7–110.1 cm/s) in the standard treatment group ( P <0.001). Intensive treatment significantly delayed the progression of arterial stiffness, with an annual change of 23.1 cm·s –1·year –1vs. 36.7 cm·s –1·year -1 of baPWV in the intensive and standard treatment groups, respectively. During a median follow-up period of 3.36 years, primary CVD outcomes occurred in 77 (2.9%) patients in the intensive treatment group compared with 93 (3.5%) in the standard treatment group. Intensive treatment resulted in a significantly lower CVD risk in patients aged 70–80 years or with SBP <140 mmHg. Conclusion::Intensive blood pressure control with an SBP target of 110 mmHg to <130 mmHg could delay the progression of arterial stiffness and reduce the risk of CVD in older patients with hypertension.Clinical trial registration::http://www.clinicaltrials.gov; No. NCT03015311.

Background::The 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) blood pressure (BP) guideline lowered the threshold defining hypertension to 130/80 mmHg. However, how stage 1 hypertension defined using this guideline is associated with cardiovascular events in Chinese adults remains unclear. This study assessed the association between stage 1 hypertension defined by the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline and clinical outcomes in the Chinese population.Methods::Participants with stage 1 hypertension ( n = 69,509) or normal BP ( n = 34,142) were followed in this study from 2006/2007 to 2020. Stage 1 hypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure of 130–139 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure of 80–89 mmHg. None were taking antihypertensive medication or had a history of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or cancer at baseline. The primary outcome was a composite of MI, stroke, and all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes were individual components of the primary outcome. Cox proportional hazards models were used for the analysis. Results::During a median follow-up of 11.09 years, we observed 10,479 events (MI, n = 995; stroke, n = 3408; all-cause mortality, n = 7094). After multivariable adjustment, the hazard ratios for stage 1 hypertension vs. normal BP were 1.20 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–1.25) for primary outcome, 1.24 (95% CI, 1.05–1.46) for MI, 1.45 (95% CI, 1.33–1.59) for stroke, and 1.11 (95% CI, 1.04–1.17) for all-cause mortality. The hazard ratios for participants with stage 1 hypertension who were prescribed antihypertensive medications compared with those without antihypertensive treatment during the follow-up was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.85–0.96). Conclusions::Using the new definition, Chinese adults with untreated stage 1 hypertension are at higher risk for MI, stroke, and all-cause mortality. This finding may help to validate the new BP classification system in China.

Objectives:To investigate the impact of baseline non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(non-HDL-C)levels on new-onset cardiovascular disease(CVD)in postmenopausal women. Methods:This prospective cohort study selected 8 893 postmenopausal women who participated from 2006 to 2018 employee health examination of Kailuan Group and had complete total cholesterol(TC)and HDL-C data and no history of CVD.Participants were followed up to 31 December,2021.The primary endpoint was the occurrence of CVD or death.According to the Chinese Lipid Management Guidelines(2023),the participants were divided into non-HDL-C<4.1 mmol/L group(n=6 079),4.1 mmol/L≤non-HDL-C<4.9 mmol/L group(n=1 824)and non-HDL-C≥4.9 mmol/L group(n=990).The cumulative incidence of CVD in different groups of non-HDL-C levels was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and tested by log-rank analysis.Multivariate Cox regression model was used to analyze the effects of different non-HDL-C levels on CVD. Results:The mean follow-up time was(10.78±4.48)years,the cumulative incidence of CVD in different non-HDL-C level groups was 1.82%,3.24%and 2.89%,respectively.Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed a statistically significant difference in cumulative incidence among the three groups(log-rank P<0.0001).The results of Cox regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors such as age and sex,the HR(95%CI)values for CVD in the 4.1≤non-HDL-C<4.9 mmol/L group and the non-HDL-C≥4.9 mmol/L group were 1.40(1.13-1.74)and 1.35(1.03-1.78),respectively. Conclusions:High non-HDL-C levels are an independent risk factor for new-onset CVD in postmenopausal women.

Objectives:To investigate the impact of resting heart rate on the risk of all-cause mortality in ultra-high risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD)patients. Methods:A total of 3 645 patients with ultra-high risk ASCVD(as defined in the 2023 Chinese Lipid Management Guidelines)were screened from the 2006 to 2020 Kailuan Study cohort,and after excluding 602 patients with missing resting heart rate,3 043 patients were included in the final analysis.Patients were divided into＜68 beats/min group(n=744),68-74 beats/min group(n=786),75-80 beats/min group(n=760),and≥81 beats/min group(n=753)according to the resting heart rate.Cox proportional regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratios(HRs)and 95%CI for all-cause mortality associated with the different resting heart rate groups and every 10 beats/min increase of resting heart rate.The dose-effect relationship of resting heart rate level and all-cause mortality was assessed by a restricted cubic spline regression model.The Kaplan-Meier method was applied to calculate the cumulative all-cause mortality in different groups,and the differences were compared using log-rank test. Results:The median follow-up time was 5.81(3.46,9.64)years,there were 772(25.37%)all-cause deaths during follow up.After adjusting major confounding factors,the results showed that compared with＜68 beats/min group,the risk of all-cause mortality in 75-80 beats/min group and≥81 beats/min group increased by 24%(HR=1.24,95%CI:1.01-1.52,P=0.047)and 47%(HR=1.47,95%CI:1.20-1.81,P＜0.001),respectively;the risk of all-cause mortality in 68-74 beats/min group was similar(HR=1.06,95%CI:0.86-1.31,P=0.625).In addition,an increase of 10 beats/min in resting heart rate was associated with a 13%increase in the risk of all-cause mortality(HR=1.13,95%CI:1.07-1.19,P＜0.001).In stratified analyses,it was found that for every 10 beats/min increase in resting heart rate,women faced a higher risk of all-cause mortality than men,and patients＜65 years old faced a higher risk of all-cause mortality than patients≥65 years old.The restricted cubic spline analysis also showed that resting heart rate was linearly associated with the risk of all-cause mortality(Poverall＜0.001,Pnon-linear=0.933),and the risk increased significantly with resting heart rate＞70 beats/min. Conclusions:Increased resting heart rate is linearly associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality in patients with ultra-high risk ASCVD.The appropriate intervention cut-off point of resting heart rate for ultra-high risk ASCVD patients may be＞75 beats/min.

Objectives:To explore the influencing factors of inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference(sIAD)in young hypertensive population. Methods:A total of 12 895 young Kailuan employees aged≤40 years,who participated in the physical examination from 2010 to 2020,were enrolled in this study.All of them underwent blood pressure measurements of four limbs in supine position.Young hypertensive group(n=3 584)and young non-hypertensive group(n=3 584)were 1∶1 matched by sex and age(±1 year),and participants were further divided into sIAD＜10 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)and sIAD≥10 mmHg subgroups.A stepwise multivariate logistic regression model was established to analyze the determinants of sIAD≥10 mmHg. Results:The detection rate of sIAD≥10 mmHg was significantly higher in the young hypertensive group than in the young non-hypertensive group(31.72%vs.27.76%,P＜0.001).Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that in young hypertensive population,ankle-brachial index(ABI)＜0.9,male,obesity,overweight,elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)level,and systolic blood pressure were positively associated with sIAD≥10 mmHg,while college education or above,physical exercise were negatively correlated with sIAD≥10 mmHg(all P＜0.05).In the young non-hypertensive population,ABI＜0.9,systolic blood pressure were positively correlated with sIAD≥10 mmHg,while age was negatively associated with sIAD≥10 mmHg(all P＜0.05). Conclusions:The detection rate of sIAD≥10 mmHg is higher in young hypertensive population than in young non-hypertensive population.Decreased ABI,male sex,obesity,overweight,increased LDL-C level,systolic blood pressure,college education and above,and physical exercise are the influencing factors of sIAD≥10 mmHg in young hypertensive population.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between cumulative triglyceride （cumTG） exposure and the risk of acute pancreatitis （AP）. MethodsA prospective study was conducted for a cohort of 56 883 workers from Kailuan Group who participated in annual physical examination for three consecutive times in 2006-2010 （2006， 2008， and 2010） and had complete TG data without the medical history of AP. According to the quartiles of cumTG calculated， the subjects were divided into four groups （Q1， Q2， Q3， and Q4 groups）， and general information was compared between the two groups. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups， and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data with skewed distribution between multiple groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the survival curve and calculate the cumulative incidence rate of AP， and the Log-rank test was used for comparison between groups； the Cox regression model was used to analyze the effect of different cumTG levels on new-onset AP events. ResultsAfter follow-up for 10.51±1.76 years， there were 158 AP events in total， with a total incidence density of 2.64 per 10 000 person-years， and the number of cases and incidence density in the Q1， Q2， Q3， and Q4 groups were 29 cases （1.93 per 10 000 person-years）， 34 cases （2.27 per 10 000 person-years）， 30 cases （2.01 per 10 000 person-years）， and 65 cases （4.37 per 10 000 person-years）. The Log-rank test showed that there was a significant difference in cumulative incidence rate between groups （χ²=22.41， P<0.001）. The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that compared with the Q1 group， the Q4 group had a significantly higher risk of AP （hazard ratio ［HR］=1.94， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.20‍ ‍—‍ 3.13， P=0.01）. Compared with cumulative triglyceride exposure for 0 year， cumulative triglyceride exposure for 4 and 6 years significantly increased the risk of AP， with an HR value of 2.04 （95%CI： 1.26‍ ‍—‍ 3.30， P<0.01） and 3.20 （95%CI： 1.98‍ ‍—‍ 5.17， P<0.01）， respectively. After exclusion of the AP cases that occurred during the 2-year follow-up， the repeated multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the Q4 group had an HR value of 1.96 （95%CI： 1.23‍ ‍—‍ 3.12， P<0.01） for the onset of AP， and after exclusion of the death cases during follow-up， the repeated multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the Q4 group had an HR value of 1.85 （95%CI： 1.10‍ ‍—‍ 3.14， P<0.05） for the onset of AP. ConclusionThe incidence rate and risk of AP tend to increase with the increase in cumTG exposure.

Objective:To analyze the changes of fasting plasma glucose(FPG)level before and after menopause.Methods:Kailuan health checkup cohort was used to extract data of women aged≥18 years who participated in the first physical examination of Kailuan physical examination cohort and had menopausal age at the end of the seventh physical examination. A total of 3 749 women with 22 057 physical examination records were included in the analysis. Natural logarithmic transformation was applied to FPG, and a segmented linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze the changes in ln-transformed FPG before and after menopause. Additionally, an interaction analysis was performed to assess the multiplicative effect of baseline age and baseline body mass index(BMI)on ln-transformed FPG concerning pre- and post-menopausal periods.Results:The average age of the first physical examination for women in this study was (45.63±4.52)years, the median menopausal age was 51(50~53)years, and the median number of physical examinations was 6(5~7)times. The results of the piecewise linear mixed effect model showed that lnFPG increased from 1 year before menopause, with an average annual increase of 0.021 mmol/L, and continued to increase from menopause to 5 years after menopause, with an average annual increase of 0.007 mmol/L. LnFPG tended to be stable after 5 years of menopause. Baseline age could affect the changes of lnFPG before and after menopause, and there was a negative multiplicative interaction between baseline age ≥45 years and the time period from 6 years to 1 year before menopause( P=0.032). Women with baseline age ≥45 years had a higher average annual increase in lnFPG from 1 year before menopause to 5 years after menopause than women with baseline age <45 years( P<0.05). On lnFPG, there was a positive multiplicative interaction between baseline BMI and time segments around menopause. Compared to women with BMI <24.0 kg/m 2, obese women displayed more annual increase in lnFPG from 6 years to 1 year before menopause as well as from menopause to 5 years after menopause( P<0.05). Conclusions:Menopause has an adverse impact on FPG, with the most significant changes occurring within the period of one year before menopause and up to five years after menopause. Age and BMI significantly influence the changes in FPG before and after menopause.