The effect of diurnal temperature range on blood pressure among 46,609 people in Northwestern China

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2020-08, Vol.730, p.138987-138987, Article 138987
• Main Authors: Zheng, Shan, Zhu, Wenzhi, Wang, Minzhen, Shi, Qin, Luo, Yan, Miao, Qian, Nie, Yonghong, Kang, Feng, Mi, Xiuying, Bai, Yana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Diastolic blood pressure (DBP); Diurnal temperature range (DTR); Pulse pressure (PP); Season; Systolic blood pressure (SBP)
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138987

A large number of studies have found a positive association between diurnal temperature range (DTR) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) incidence and mortality. Few studies regarding the effects of DTR on blood pressure (BP) are available. To investigate the effects of DTR on BP in Jinchang, northwestern China. Based on a prospective cohort research, a total of 46,609 baseline survey data were collected from 2011 to 2015. The meteorological observation data and environmental monitoring data were collected in the same period. The generalized additive model (GAM) was used to estimate the relationship between DTR and BP after adjusting for confounding variables. Our study found that there was a positive linear correlation between DTR and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and plus pressure (PP), and a negative linear correlation between DTR and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). With a 1 °C increase of DTR, SBP and PP increased 0.058 mmHg (95%CI: 0.018–0.097) and 0.114 mmHg (95%CI: 0.059–0.168) respectively, and DBP decreased 0.039 mmHg (95%CI:-0.065 ~ −0.014). There was a significant interaction between season and DTR on SBP and PP. DTR had the greatest impact on SBP and PP in hot season. The association between DTR and BP varied significantly by education level. There was a significant association between DTR and BP in Jinchang, an area with large temperature change at high altitudes in northwestern China. These results provide new evidence that DTR is an independent risk factor for BP changes among general population. Therefore, effective control and management of BP in the face of temperature changes can help prevent CVDs. [Display omitted] •DTR was significantly associated with BP in northwest China.•DTR was positively associated with SBP and PP, and negatively associated with DBP.•DTR had the greatest impact on SBP and PP in hot season than in cold season.•The association between DTR and BP varied significantly by education level.