Abstract
BACKGROUND: Association between age at menarche (AAM) and hypertension remains a controversial topic, and data in China were sparse. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between AAM and hypertension in Chinese female population. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 5,102 females aged ≥15 years were enrolled. Self-reported AAM was assessed by the questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and AAM. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between hypertension and AAM. Generalized additive model (GAM) and smooth curve fitting (penalized spline method) were conducted to explore the exact shape of curve between them. RESULTS: The overall mean of AAM was 15.5 years. Each additional year of AAM was associated with a 15% higher risk of hypertension (odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-1.19). Among females with hypertension, there was a significant positive association between AAM and SBP (β = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.29-1.46) and DBP (β = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.47-1.13). A significantly higher risk of hypertension was found in younger subjects (15-44 y: OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.21-1.55; P for interaction = 0.009) compared with those aged between 62 and 97 y. CONCLUSIONS: AAM was positively associated with hypertension and blood pressure, especially among females in early adulthood from southern China.