THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DYNAPENIA AND ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN FEMALE PATIENTS

Highlights The study presents an analysis of the prevalence of dynapenia, parameters characterizing the rigid-elastic properties of arterial vessels, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in females with arterial hypertension, which made it possible to suggest pathogenetic links in their relationships. Abstract Aim. To assess the prevalence of dynapenia in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) and to identify possible relationships between them. Methods. The study included 148 women of various ages. Participants were divided into four groups based on age and the presence of hypertension. The control group consisted of 30 middle-aged women without hypertension. All participants underwent a range of tests, including assessment of muscle strength, arterial wall stiffness, augmentation and reflection indices, endothelial dysfunction, fractolkine and caspase-3 levels, and walking speed. Results. Dynapenia was detected in 25.4% of women with hypertension, and age correlated with a decrease in muscle strength. In elderly women with hypertension, the stiffness index was 10% higher than in middle-aged and senile women (p < 0.001). The augmentation index in elderly women with hypertension was 40% higher than in senile women (p < 0.01) and 63% higher than in middle-aged women (p < 0.00001). The reflectivity index in elderly women with hypertension exceeded that in middle-aged women by 17% (p < 0.05). High blood pressure contributed to changes in the elasticity of vascular walls and functional disorders. Concentrations of fractalkine (0.204 ± 0.012 pg/mL, p < 0.0005) and caspase-3 (1.109 ± 0.05 ng/mL, p < 0.000001) served as markers of chronic inflammation. Conclusion . Dinapenia is diagnosed in a quarter of women with hypertension. Age-related changes lead to increased vascular wall rigidity, increased augmentation and reflection, development of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, which probably initiates the process of arterial remodeling, worsening tissue metabolism and becoming an important link in the development of the cardiovascular gerontological continuum.