Elevation of blood pressure (BP) and the increasing incidence of hypertension have been known to be associated with time course, especially age. But there is still lack of evidence of BP change and the association with biochemical markers or markers for subclinical organ damage in Korean general population. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate BP change and the related factors in established Korean mid-aged rural cohort.

This study was performed by using data from ARIRANG cohort (Atherosclerosis Risk of a Rural Area Korean General Population) in Gangwon rural area. Data were collected from baseline survey (Nov 2005-Jan 2008) and follow-up survey (Apr 2008-Jan 2011). Among 5,515 participants, 1,863 were analyzed after excluding individuals with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cerebral infarction, myocardial infarction, missing data for BP, and newly-developed hypertension.

Mean age was 53.4 ± 8.2 years and men were 718 (38.5%). Mean follow-up period was 2.4 ± 0.9 years. Baseline systolic and diastolic BP were 123.6 ± 15.7 mm Hg and 79.2 ± 10.8 mm Hg. Systolic BP changes were -10.9 ± 15.3 mm Hg and diastolic BP changes were -7.7 ± 11.8 mm Hg. In logistic regression analysis, predictors for elevation of systolic BP on follow-up were start regular exercise (odds ratio [OR], 0.765; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.604 to 0.968; p=0.0257) and fasting glucose (OR, 0.984; 95% CI, 0.972 to 0.996; p=0.0102) and homeostasis assessment-insulin resistance (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.707 to 0.952; p = 0.0086).

Follow-up systolic and diastolic BP were significantly decreased when compared to baseline BP in mid-aged Korean rural cohort population. Long-term follow-up is needed to discriminate the periodic change of BP and the associated factors.