DO RACIAL-DIFFERENCES IN HYPERTENSION PERSIST IN SUCCESSFUL AGERS - FINDINGS FROM THE MACARTHUR STUDY OF SUCCESSFUL AGING

The objective of this study was to determine whether racial difference s in hypertension in a random sample of community-dwelling older adult s also remained significant in a sample of successful agers. Data for the random sample of community-dwelling older adults came from the Duk e University Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (4,162 community-dwelling adults age 65 and older) and showed strong racial differences in hypertension. Data for successful agers c ame from the Duke MacArthur (428 of EPESE respondents in the top 30% i n terms of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial performance). The mea n of two sitting blood pressure measurements was the dependent variabl e for both sets of analyses. Independent variables included demographi cs and health factors. Using logistic regression, odds ratios in the D uke EPESE and Duke MacArthur samples for race were similar (Duke EPESE odds ratio = 1.30; Duke MacArthur odds ratio = 1.29). Sample size dif ferences affected statistical significance. However, race differences in hypertension in older adults appear to be unexplained by socioecono mic status or other usual explanatory variables. Even among successful agers, racial differences in hypertension persist.