Neck circumference is independently associated with relative systemic hypertension in young adults with sickle cell anaemia

Abstract

BackgroundA seemingly interesting observation in patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is that they usually have lower systemic blood pressures (BP) and insulin resistance than persons in the general population in spite of chronic inflammation and vasculopathy. However, relative systemic hypertension (rHTN) has been linked to pulmonary hypertension, increased blood viscosity and renal insufficiency, which could indicate a risk of developing cardiometabolic disorder (CMD) in SCA.We therefore hypothesized that neck circumference (NC) and CMD marker; triglyceride glucose (TyG) index would independently predict rHTN in young adults with SCA in steady state.MethodsWe compared the anthropometrical, hematological, hemorheological and CMD markers between SCA patients with normal BP < 120/70 mmHg; nHTN, n = 65) and those with rHTN (BP ≥ 120/70 mmHg, n = 32).ResultsOur results showed that SCA with rHTN had significantly higher body weight, waist circumference, NC, plasma viscosity, systolic and diastolic BP. Results also indicated that NC (OR: 2.98; 95% CI 1.46 to 6.10, p < 0.01) was a predictor of rHTN in SCA independent of gender, age, weight, waist circumference, BMI, blood viscosity, triglyceride or TyG. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis also showed that NC was the most efficient predictor of rHTN than other CMD markers.ConclusionThe present study demonstrates that increased NC is a salient risk factors that is independently associated with rHTN in SCA. The finding therefore underscores the utility of NC in early detection and stratification of systemic hypertension, particularly in individuals with SCA.

The correlation between neck circumference and risk factors in patients with hypertension

“…Neck circumference is also a window of body fat distribution, it is more stable and simple to measure neck circumference than waist circumference, especially in the screening process, neck circumference can be measured in a sitting position without interference from breathing. [ 22 , 23 ] In recent years, many epidemiological studies [ 24 – 26 ] have suggested that neck circumference is closely related to waist circumference and BMI, thus it is an important indicator for predicting risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, neck circumference is closely related to glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, insulin resistance, etc, and is related to various components of metabolic syndrome.…”

Neck circumference and its association with anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical parameters in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis

“…The literature shows evidence of a relationship between Neck Circumference (NC) and the occurrence of or complications from some diseases. For example, Almeida et al [5] identified a greater risk of cardiovascular disease in dialysis patients with a high NC, and Olatunji et al [6] showed an independent association between NC and systemic arterial hypertension in young people and adults with sickle cell anemia. In a study with 107 participants conducted by Chu et al [7] that evaluated risk factors for sleep apnea in patients undergoing hemodialysis, they found that a high NC is an independent factor for developing disordered breathing during sleep in dialysis patients.…”