P059 IDENTIFYING PREDICTORS OF EARLY-ONSET HYPERTENSION IN MIDDLE-AGED INDIVIDUALS WITH OBESITY

Background: Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, with obesity being one of its primary modifiable predictors. This longitudinal study aims to identify early predictors of developing hypertension in middle-aged individuals with obesity, contributing to targeted prevention strategies. Methods: A cohort of 112 middle-aged participants (mean age 48.6 ± 10.8 years, 55% male) with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m^2 but without hypertension at baseline were followed for an average of 5.8 ± 2.4 years. The study sought to determine significant predictors for the development of hypertension, including demographic variables, lifestyle factors, and biochemical markers. Cox proportional hazards regression models were employed to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for the development of hypertension, with Kaplan-Meier analysis used to visualize time-to-event outcomes. Statistical significance was determined by p-values < 0.05. Results: Over the follow-up period, 34% of participants developed hypertension. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated a significant difference in hypertension-free outcomes based on baseline insulin resistance levels and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (p < 0.01). Cox regression analysis revealed that insulin resistance (HR = 1.12 per unit increase, 95% CI: 1.06-1.19, p = 0.001) and WHR (HR = 2.48 for the highest quartile vs. lowest, 95% CI: 1.32-4.67, p = 0.005) were independent predictors of developing hypertension. Furthermore, a sedentary lifestyle was associated with an increased risk (HR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.01-3.54, p = 0.046), whereas dietary factors did not show a significant relationship after adjusting for other variables. Conclusion: This study identifies insulin resistance and WHR as significant predictors of early-onset hypertension among middle-aged individuals with obesity, with lifestyle factors also playing a crucial role. These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions focusing on reducing insulin resistance and central obesity, along with promoting physical activity, to prevent the development of hypertension in this high-risk population.