Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) and hypertension in post-menopausal women. METHODS: Using a matched case-control design, clinical and laboratory data were collected. Conditional logistic regression with stratified analysis was conducted to identify the association between GPER and hypertension. RESULTS: The GPER level was significantly lower in the case group than in the control group (126.3 ± 21.6 vs. 133.6 ± 27.3, P=0.000). The GPER levels of the hypertension cases with and those without menopause were significant (120.5 ± 11.8 and 127.2 ± 12.1, P=0.000). No significant difference in the GPER level between the controls with and those without menopause was observed (P=0.241). Logistic regression revealed that the GPER quartile was related to hypertension (odds ratio [OR]: 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13-0.93, P=0.018) after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Stratified analysis revealed that the GPER quartile was not associated with hypertension in premenopausal women, and the fourth GPER quartile showed a predictive association with hypertension (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.29-0.90) in menopausal women. CONCLUSIONS: GPER level is associated with hypertension and is a protective factor for hypertension in menopausal women but not premenopausal women. Further research is required due to study limitations.