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Hypertension is related to sodium intake, and many patients with essential hypertension are overweight and have the metabolic syndrome. We therefore studied microsatellite markers close to the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter on chromosome 16 and a quantitative trait locus for abdominal obesity-metabolic syndrome (AOMS2) on chromosome 17, which have been found to be linked to hypertension in a previous genome scan in Chinese. There were 84 hypertensive subjects (44 men, 40 women, age 53±13 years) and 88 normotensive controls (40 men, 48 women, age 54±13 years) recruited. Specific oligonucleotide primers were used to amplify genomic DNA spanning the microsatellite markers D16S3396 and D17S1303 that consist of ATA and GATA repeats, respectively. We did not find any association between D16S3396 and blood pressure. In contrast, the distribution of D17S1303 genotypes differed between hypertensive subjects and normal controls (P=0.014). The number of GATA repeats correlated inversely with diastolic blood pressure (r=-0.18, P=0.02) and body mass index (r=-0.12, P=0.01). Nine GATA repeats in D17S1303 were associated with hypertension (OR 2.19, 95%CI 1.08-4.44, P=0.027), while 14 GATA repeats were associated with normotension (OR 0.26, 95%CI 0.10-0.66, P=0.002). The diastolic blood pressure in those with or without the (GATA)9 allele was 85.9±13.6 and 79.2±13.6?mmHg respectively (P=0.01), and in those with or without the (GATA)14 allele it was 73.8±11.0 and 81.8±14.0?mmHg respectively (P=0.003). Our results provide further evidence that a gene predisposing to hypertension in Chinese is in the vicinity of the microsatellite D17S1303.Journal of Human Hypertension (2005) 19, 407-411. doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1001835Published online 17 February 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the trends in prevalence, treatment, and control of diagnosed diabetes in United States adults 20 years of age or older. METHODS: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004 were used. Glycemic, blood pressure, and total cholesterol target levels were defined as having glycosylated hemoglobin <7.0%, blood pressure <130/80 mm Hg, and total cholesterol <200 mg/dL, respectively. RESULTS: The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes was 7.8% in 2003-2004 and increased significantly in people aged 40-59 years, women, non-Hispanic whites, and obese people in the period 1999-2004. Although there was no significant change in the pattern of antidiabetic treatment, the age-adjusted percentage of people with diagnosed diabetes achieving glycemic and blood pressure target levels increased from 35.8% to 57.1% (p = 0.002) and from 35.7% to 48.3% (p = 0.04), respectively. However, there were only insignificant increases in percentages of those persons achieving total cholesterol target level (from 48.8% to 50.4%) and those achieving all 3 target levels (from 7.5% to 13.2%). CONCLUSIONS: In 1999-2004, the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes increased significantly in some subgroups of the population. However, the increases in percentages of people with diabetes achieving glycemic and blood pressure targets are encouraging, although there is room for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diuretic-induced hypokalaemia is a common and potentially life-threatening adverse drug reaction in clinical practice. Previous studies revealed a prevalence of 7%-56% of hypokalaemia in patients taking thiazide diuretics. The clinical manifestations of hypokalaemia due to diuretics are non-specific, varying from asymptomatic to fatal arrhythmia. Diagnosis of hypokalaemia is based on the level of serum potassium. ECG is useful in identifying the more severe consequences. A high dosage of diuretics and concomitant use of other drugs that increase the risk of potassium depletion or cardiac arrhythmias can increase the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. Thiazide-induced potassium depletion may cause dysglycaemia. The risk of thiazide-induced hypokalaemia is higher in women and in black people. Reducing diuretic dose and potassium supplementation are the most direct and effective therapies for hypokalaemia. Combining with a potassium-sparing diuretic or blocker of the renin-angiotensin system also reduces the risk of hypokalaemia. Lowering salt intake and increasing intake of vegetables and fruits help to reduce blood pressure as well as prevent hypokalaemia., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)