Association between serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase and blood pressure: a cross-sectional study of Chinese freshmen

BACKGROUND: High blood pressure is a well-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular events, and the incidence of hypertension is increasing among young people. This study investigated the relationship between ALT and AST levels and hypertension among freshmen in China. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Anhui Province from September to November 2018. A total of 3114 freshmen underwent a physical examination including testing of biochemical indicators and a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of elevated ALT and AST were 6.8% and 2.3% among freshmen. The mean ALT and AST levels were higher in males (22.59 ± 21.98 vs.12.62 ± 10.30 U/L; 23.55 ± 12.24 vs. 20.02 ± 5.75 U/L, respectively). The prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in men (16.1%) than in women (1.9%). The mean values of BMI, SBP, DBP, TC, TG, and LDL-C were found to be increased with elevated levels of serum ALT and AST in the quartiles (P for trend < 0.05). After adjusting for covariates, the risk of hypertension was significantly higher in the highest ALT quartile than in the lowest quartile (OR (95% CI) of 1.681 (1.028, 2.751) in males; 2.802 (1.102, 7.124) in females). A strong linear relationship was found between serum ALT levels and the odds of hypertension after adjustment for potential confounders only in total population and females (P for trend < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that ALT level is significantly associated with hypertension both in male and female freshmen.