Table 1

Systolic blood pressure in early old age by childhood and adult heights

ABCD
nMean (SD)Mean difference (95% CI)p valueMean difference (95% CI)p valueMean difference (95% CI)p value
Childhood height
129167.8 (22.7)18.1  (6.1, 30.2)0.00429.0  (14.9, 43.1)0.00028.5  (5.6, 51.5)0.015
230156.9 (23.6)6.1 (−5.9, 18.1)0.31614.6 (1.1, 28.2)0.03513.9 (−5.3, 33.1)0.155
330158.1 (25.2)7.9 (−4.3, 20.1)0.20213.8 (−0.7, 28.3)0.06212.3 (−7.8, 32.4)0.227
430153.1 (21.6)2.4 (−9.5, 14.2)0.69411.8 (−1.4, 25.0)0.08010.2 (−7.7, 28.2)0.260
530150.8 (22.4)0.00.00.0
Total149157.3 (23.5)
Adult height
130162.0 (20.7)13.5 (1.3, 25.8)0.03119.3 (5.8, 32.9)0.0060.7 (−20.0, 21.5)0.943
229159.4 (19.6)11.8 (−0.8, 24.4)0.06615.1 (1.7, 28.4)0.0271.2 (−17.6, 20.0)0.899
331160.4 (26.2)11.2 (−1.3, 23.8)0.07612.8 (−0.2, 25.8)0.0542.8 (−14.4, 20.0)0.749
429157.7 (25.9)8.7 (−3.8, 21.2)0.17110.7 (−2.4, 23.7)0.1093.8 (−12.0, 19.6)0.635
530146.9 (22.8)0.0
Total149157.3 (23.5)

  • A. Mean pressure in mm Hg with standard deviation by childhood and adult height fifths.

  • B. Mean difference in pressure compared with tallest fifth using multiple linear regression, adjusted for sex, age at interview, BMI, and use of antihypertension medication. Childhood and adult heights are modelled separately.

  • C. As model B, but with additional adjustment for childhood symptom score, childhood BMI, family expenditure on food, household crowding, father's class, number of years smoking, number of years in a job with low decision latitude, number of benefits being received, smoking status, car ownership, and social class. Childhood and adult heights are modelled separately.

  • D. As model C, but childhood and adult heights are included in the same model.