Mead LA, Wang NY, Klag MJ
A prospective study of coffee intake and hypertension: The Johns Hopkins Precursors Study
16th Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hypertension
ISH Abstract Book (Jun) 16: 1996

Withdrawal studies have shown that cessation of coffee intake lowers blood pressure (BP) in established hypertension. This study estimates the risk of hypertension associated with coffee intake in a cohort of 1,017 white male former medical students in classes 1948-. Coffee drinking was assessed at baseline (mean age 26 yrs) and up to 10 times over follow-up through 1992. Blood pressure was measured in medical school and yearly by questionnaire after graduation. Median follow-up was 32 years and response averaged 90% in every 5 year period.

Incidence of hypertension (N = 251) was positively associated with coffee intake at baseline (p < 0.04) and over follow-up (p < 0.0001). For baseline intake, the Kaplan-Meier incidence of hypertension by age 60 was 19% for nondrinkers, 28% for 1-, 31% for 3-, and 25% for 3-5 cups/day. Using a proportional hazards analysis, the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of developing hypertension associated with time-dependent coffee intake (as a categorical variable) compared to nondrinkers was 2.6 (1.6-.1) for 1-, 3.2 (2.0-.1) for 3-, and 3.3 (2.0, 5.4) for 3 5 cups/day. After adjustment for baseline blood pressure, and time-dependent number of cigarettes/day and body mass index, results were unchanged.

Comment: These findings emphasize the potential importance of coffee drinking in the etiology of hypertension (Carmine Zoccali, M.D, Reggio Calabria, Italy).

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16th Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hypertension
H: Special problems : Smoking, ethanol, substance abuse