Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among Hui population in China
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Fan Xiangping , Li Sijun , Wang Yutan , Shi Sujie , Lu Huilan , Yan Fanghong , Ma Yuxia 
Published: May 2021

Background:

Hypertension (HTN) has been considered as a health concern in developing countries. And Hui is a minority group with a large population in China. Its genetic background, inadequate access to health services, eating habits, religious belief, ethnic customs, and other factors differ from that of other ethnic groups, which may influence the prevalence of HTN. However, there is no current meta-analysis on the prevalence and risk factors of HTN among Hui population. Thus we conducted a systematic review aiming to estimate the pooled prevalence and risk factors of HTN among Hui population.

Methods:

PubMed, The Cochrane library, Web of science, CINAHL Complete, Weipu Database (VIP), China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), Wanfang Database, and SinoMed were systematically searched from inception to February 28, 2020 with publication language restricted to English and Chinese. We included cross-sectional, case–control, or cohort studies that focused on prevalence and risk factors of HTN among Hui population. Two investigators independently assessed the risk of bias of the studies included in the review using tools developed by JBI. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 12.0 software package.

Results:

Twenty-three studies were identified with a total of 30,565 study participants. The overall pooled prevalence of HTN was 28% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 24%–32%, I
2 = 98.8%, P < .001). Stratified by gender, the pooled prevalence of HTN in Hui was 26% (95%CI: 20%–33%, I
2 = 97.6%, P < .001) for males and 30% (95%CI: 23%–37%, I
2 = 98.3%, P < .001) for females. Pooled prevalence of HTN in Hui was 2% (95%CI: 2%–6%, I

2
 = 70.6%, P = .065), 10% (95%CI: 3%–17%, I
2 = 83.7%, P < .001), 22% (95%CI: 12%–32%, I
2 = 87.9%, P < .001), 37% (95%CI: 20%–53%, I
2 = 94.0%, P < .001), 39% (95%CI: 24%–54%, I
2 = 97.7%, P < .001) and 42% (95%CI: 29%–56%, I
2 = 95.6%, P < .001) for those aged 18 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69, and ≥70 years, respectively. Pooled prevalence of HTN in Hui was 22% (95%CI: 14%–29%, I
2 = 97.9%, P < .001) in urban areas and 23% (95%CI: 16%–30%, I
2 = 95.8%, P < .001) in rural areas. Daily salt intake (odd ratio [OR] = 3.94, 95%CI: 3.03–5.13, I
2 = 90.2%, P < 001), family history (OR = 3.50, 95%CI: 2.60–4.71, I
2 = 95.3%, P < .001), smoking (OR = 1.84, 95%CI: 1.61–2.09, I
2 = 59.6%, P < .001), drinking (OR = 1.74, 95%CI: 1.26–2.39, I
2 = 95.3%, P = .001), weekly meat intake (OR = 1.92, 95%CI: 1.04–3.54, I
2 = 96.5%, P = .036), body mass index (OR = 2.20, 95%CI: 1.81–2.66, I
2 = 91.3%, P < .001), and areas (OR = 1.29, 95%CI: 1.10–1.51, I
2 = 81.5%, P = .001) were risk factors of HTN in Hui, while physical exercise (OR = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.66–0.88, I
2 = 62.7%, P < .001) was protective factor.

Conclusions:

The pooled prevalence of HTN among Hui people was 28%, daily salt intake, family history, drinking, smoking, weekly meat intake, body mass index, areas, and physical exercise were all risk factors for HTN among Hui population. Early screening and treatment of HTN among Hui population should be given due attention.