The univariate regression analysis of our study showed an association between hypertension and mRNA expression level of ACE (crude OR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.08-1.84), especially in the high mRNA expression level group (crude OR=1.93, 95% CI: 1.21-3.09), indicating a potential relationship between the aberrant mRNA expression of ACE and hypertension (Table 2). Here, ACE is linked to hypertensive disorder.