Household fuel use and the regression from prehypertension to normotension among Chinese middle-aged and older adults: a cohort study.

Abstract

To examine the association of household fuel use with prehypertension regression among middle-aged and older people based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we included a total of 3501 participants with prehypertension at baseline, and they were followed up from 2011-2012 to 2015-2016 with information on blood pressure and household solid fuel use (heating and cooking fuels). Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to explore the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) between fuel use and prehypertension regression. Additionally, we investigated the impact of switching fuels (2011-2013) on the regression to normotension during the 4-year follow-up. Linear regression was used to examine the effect of household fuel use on changes in blood pressure. Compared to solid fuel users, those who used clean fuel for heating at baseline had a positive effect on the regression of prehypertension (HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.08-1.53). Participants who used clean fuels for both heating and cooking had increased odds for the regression of prehypertension (HR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.09-1.60). Compared to consistent solid fuel users, those who consistently used clean fuel for heating had a higher likelihood of transitioning from prehypertension to normotension (HR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.06-1.73) and exhibited 2.45 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure. In conclusion, household clean fuel use for heating was positively associated with the regression of prehypertension to normotension. Furthermore, switching from solid fuel to clean fuel for heating could reduce the risk of prehypertension in Chinese middle-aged and older adults.