Synergistic effects of hypertension and diabetes on cardiovascular risk in elderly: Comparative longitudinal analysis of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and Health and Retirement Study (HRS)
Authors' conclusion
This analysis shows that hypertension and diabetes together increase cardiovascular risk in elderly individuals by about 30%. The findings are consistent across different ethnic groups and healthcare systems, suggesting universal biological mechanisms. This supports updating risk assessments and enhancing preventive strategies, especially for cerebrovascular risks in the elderly.
Study context
- Population
- Adults aged ≥60 years without baseline CVD, from CHARLS (n = 9823, 2011–2020) and HRS (n = 8824, 2010–2020)
- Participants
- 18,647 adults2 cohorts
- Exposure
- Comorbid hypertension and DM vs neither condition
- Outcome
- Stroke, MI, HF and cardiovascular mortality
- Follow-up
- Median 7.8 years (CHARLS) and 8.2 years (HRS)
Methodological detailscomparative longitudinal analysis of two cohorts (CHARLS and HRS), competing risk models accounting for mortality, Cox proportional hazards and Fine-Grey models, multiplicative and additive interaction
- Comparative longitudinal analysis of two cohorts (CHARLS and HRS)
- Competing risk models accounting for mortality
- Cox proportional hazards and Fine-Grey models
- Multiplicative and additive interaction
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Cardiovascular events
1909
RERI, CHARLS
0.75
95% CI 0.19–1.31
RERI, HRS
0.84
95% CI 0.21–1.47
Excess risk attributable to interaction
28-31%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Interaction by outcome component
- Stroke: strongest interaction, RERI
- ≈0.9
- Stroke: SI
- ≈1.8
- MI demonstrated minimal synergy
Interaction by subgroup
- Effects amplified in participants aged 60-74 and females
Original publication
Synergistic effects of hypertension and diabetes on cardiovascular risk in elderly: Comparative longitudinal analysis of CHARLS and HRS. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 2 February 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →