RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To identify factors closely associated with plasma B type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels. METHODS: A total of 1983 people (mean 66 years-old and 694 male) underwent annual health check-up in 2006 in Okuizumo district were included in this study. Blood pressure, electrocardiogram, conventional blood examination, plasma BNP and NT-proBNP were measured. RESULTS: BNP is positively correlated with NT-proBNP (r = 0.89, P < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that age, Hb, pulse rate, SBP, TC, gender, TG and creatinine were significantly related to BNP and age, creatinine, Hb, gender, TG, TC, SBP, pulse rate were significantly related to NT-proBNP. NT-proBNP was more easily affected by renal function changes and BNP was more easily affected by autonomic nervous system changes. Both BNP and NT-proBNP significantly increased in proportion to SBP and age. NT-proBNP and BNP were significantly higher in females compared with males (all P < 0.05). NT-proBNP and BNP were also negatively correlated with abdominal circumference (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study population, NT-proBNP and BNP were closely associated with age, blood pressure, creatinine, pulse rate, lipid levels, gender and abdominal circumferences.