The Correlation of Lung Function Parameters, Blood Pressure and Beta-Blocker Medication in a General Population

Abstract

Objectives Prior studies have investigated possible links between blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, especially beta-blockers and impairment of lung function. The aim of our study was to investigate an association between blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, focusing on beta-blockers, and its influence on lung function parameters in our adult population.

Methods From the two analysed cohorts of the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-1 and SHIP-TREND), pooled data for interview-based information, lung function variables including bodyplethysmography and blood pressure variables were used to perform adjusted linear regression analyses. Association analyses were conducted for the pooled population.

Results Within the whole pooled population we found some minor statistically significant interrelations in the multivariate analyses for blood pressure and lung function parameters. Statistical correlation between lung function and blood pressure were significant but too weak to be deemed clinically relevant.

We also found interrelations between lung function and use of beta-blocker medication. Within the subgroup of individuals with antihypertensive medication containing beta-blockers compared to the reference group we found lower dynamic and static volumes e. g. for FEV1 (–70 ml), FVC (–90 ml), a reduction of TLC (–130 ml) and ITGV (–100 ml), however we did not find an increase in airway resistance (Rtot).

Conclusion Based on the data of SHIP-1 and SHIP TREND our results confirm a minor association between blood pressure and lung function. More importantly, we have seen a significant decrease of lung volumes for hypertensive patients with beta- blocker medication as described in literature before. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to examine the interrelation between blood pressure, medication and lung function in an epidemiological study using data of spirometry, body plethysmography and CO transfer.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel In der vorliegenden Studie haben wir die Korrelation von Blutdruck- und Lungenfunktionswerten sowie antihypertensiver Medikation in Bezug auf Lungenfunktionsparameter in der Spirometrie und Bodyplethysmografie untersucht.

Ein besonderer Fokus lag auf der Subgruppe der Studienteilnehmer mit Betablockern in der Medikation. Das Ziel war es zu klären, inwieweit Blutdruck mit Lungenfunktionsparametern assoziiert ist und inwieweit blutdrucksenkende Medikamente, insbesondere Betablocker, die Lungenfunktionsparameter innerhalb der epidemiologischen Studienpopulation beeinflussen.

Methode Die untersuchten Daten stammen aus den zwei Kohorten der bevölkerungsbasierten Study in Health in Pomerania (SHIP-1 und SHIP-TREND). Aus der Studie liegen interviewbasierte Informationen, Lungenfunktionsvariablen, einschließlich Bodyplethysmografie und Blutdruckvariablen vor. Die Daten wurden verwendet, um angepasste lineare Regressionsanalysen durchzuführen. Assoziationsanalysen wurden für die gepoolte Population durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse Innerhalb der untersuchten Population fanden wir Wechselbeziehungen in der multivariaten Analyse für Blutdruck- und Lungenfunktionsparameter. Die gefundenen Zusammenhänge waren gering ausgeprägt, formal jedoch signifikant. Die Korrelation zwischen Bluthochdruck und antihypertensiver Medikation und Lungenfunktionsparametern war ausschließlich mit der Gabe von Betablockern assoziiert. Im Vergleich zur Referenzgruppe fanden wir in der Gruppe der mit Betablockern behandelten Teilnehmenden niedrigere Lungenvolumina für FEV₁ (–70 ml), FVC (–90 ml), TLC (–130 ml) und ITGV (–100 ml), während wir keinen Anstieg des Atemwegswiderstandes (Rtot) beobachten konnten.

Schlussfolgerung Basierend auf den Daten der bevölkerungsbezogenen Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-1 und SHIP TREND) fanden wir einige, kleinere Zusammenhänge zwischen Blutdruck und Lungenfunktionsparametern.

Zusätzlich haben wir eine signifikante Abnahme spirometrisch und bodyplethysmografisch bestimmter Lungenvolumina bei hypertensiven Patienten mit Betablockern gesehen, wie von anderen Autoren bereits beschrieben. Diese Veränderungen in der Spirometrie waren nicht von einem Anstieg des Atemwegswiderstandes begleitet. Unseres Wissens nach ist dies die erste Untersuchung aus einer großen epidemiologischen Studie von Blutdruck, Medikation und Lungenfunktion, in welcher neben spirometrischen Daten auch Daten der Bodyplethysmografie und des CO-Transfers untersucht wurden.

Publication History

Received: 16 May 2021

Accepted: 06 July 2021

Article published online:
02 August 2021

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