A Cross-Sectional Study of Sex-Specific Associations of Renin and Electrolytes on the Development of Hypertension

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Blood renin and electrolyte levels are associated with blood pressure and hypertension. While sex-specific effects of such factors have been investigated, exact comparisons of the factors between the sexes have been scarce. <b>Methods</b>: Using cohort data from the Korean Genome and Environmental Study (KoGES), the study population that did not receive any interventions for blood pressure was determined. Blood levels of renin and electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium, were used to test their relationship with hypertension and blood pressure. Confounding variables, including age, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, family history of hypertension, alcohol consumption, smoking, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, protein, and albumin levels, were used for adjustment in the multiple regression analysis. <b>Results</b>: In the single-variable analysis, sodium levels were significantly higher in the female population, and showed strong associations in the multiple regression analysis. Blood potassium levels showed no significant sex-specific differences. Among these factors, renin showed the greatest significance in both the total population and sex-specific groups. Moreover, in the development of hypertension, the effect size of renin was significantly different between sexes. Additionally, BMI tended to show stronger associations in females. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study identified sex-specific differential effects of renin and other electrolytes that are important in the pathophysiology of blood pressure. These findings provide clues for the more precise management of hypertension.