Abstract: Abstract：Objective To investigate the correlation of the supine hypertension (SP) with carotid intima- media thickness (IMT) in the elderly. Methods Kailuan study is a functional community-based cardiovascular risk factor study. From June 2006, there was a physical examination every two years. In the examination, demographic data, smoking, drinking, physical exercise situation and medication situation were recorded. Levels of triglyceride, high sensitivity C- reactive protein, low density lipoprotein and other biochemical indexes were observed. Using cluster random sampling, 3 064 retired employees of 60 years of age or older were selected. A total of 2 464 subjects took part in an additional examination, including the 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, blood pressure of different positions and urine albumin. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the correlation between supine systolic blood pressure (SBP) and IMT. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of SP on IMT. Results (1) Among 2 220 participants (67.29±6.09) years, 1 463 (65.9%) individuals were male and 757 (34.1%) were females, and the average IMT was (0.92±0.18) mm. (2) There was a positive correlation between supine SBP and IMT (r=0.175, P<0.01). (3) After adjusting the confounds, supine SBP was significantly associated with IMT, with an increase of 1 SD (+ 20.42 mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) in SBP corresponding to an increase of IMT by 0.01 mm (P<0.01). (4) Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for sitting SBP, age, gender and other factors, SP was still a risk factor of increased IMT (OR=1.37, 95%CI:1.03- 1.80), and independent of sitting SBP. Conclusion The supine hypertension is a risk factor of increased IMT, and independent of sitting SBP.

Key words:  hypertension, risk factors, aged, target organ damage, supine hypertension, carotid intima-media thickness