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 μmol/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 μmol/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.

Keywords:
Undernutrition, Oxidative stress, High blood pressure, Older adults
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© 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel
2009
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