Genetic risk score for high SBP does not predict poor hypertension control

Use of a genetic risk score (GRS) for high systolic blood pressure (SBP) does not appear to forecast hypertension control, according to a study.

A group of researchers extracted and analysed data from the four waves of a population-based, prospective study conducted in Lausanne, Switzerland. Hypertension control was defined as SBP <140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) <90 mm Hg. A weighted GRS was calculated from 362 single-nucleotide polymorphisms.

The researchers selected 1,097 (mean age 61 years, 51 percent men), 1,126 (mean age 65 years, 53 percent men), 1,020 (mean age 69 years, 52 percent men), and 809 (mean age 71 years, 50 percent men) participants treated for hypertension from the baseline (2003‒2006), first (2009‒2012), second (2014‒2017), and third (2018‒2021) surveys, respectively.

Rates of hypertension control were 50 percent, 58 percent, 52 percent, and 59 percent for the baseline, first, second, and third surveys, respectively.

GRS was not significantly associated with hypertension control (multivariate-adjusted mean for controlled vs uncontrolled participants: 9.30 vs 9.50; p=0.12; 9.32 vs 9.53; p=0.10; 9.17 vs 9.34; p=0.22; and 9.18 vs 9.46; p=0.07 for the baseline, first, second, and third surveys, respectively).

In power analysis, a minimum of 3,410 individuals treated for hypertension would be needed to notice an association between GRS and hypertension control rates. Of note, positive associations between GRS and SBP levels were observed among those not treated for hypertension (Spearman correlation range 0.05‒0.09; p<0.05 for all).

“The use of GRS for hypertension management is not warranted in clinical practice,” the researchers said.