Prevalence of elevated serum creatinine among treated hypertensives in South-South Nigeria.

Abstract

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a major issue of public importance in Nigeria. Hypertensive nephrosclerosis is one of the major cause of CKD in Nigeria, being responsible for over half of our CKD patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of creatinine in treated hypertensives in this environment which is a major marker of renal disease.
Materials/ Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.Records of patients attending the hypertensiveclinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital were assessed and evaluated for socio-demographic data, blood pressure levels and serum creatinine levels.A cut off mark of 1.5mg/dl was used to evaluate elevated serum creatinine levels.
Results: There were 826patients with a male/female ratio of 1:1.32. Males were 356 (43.1%) and females 470 (56.9%). Among these patients, 118 (14.3%) had a serum creatinine value of over 1.5mg/dl, signifying renal disease.
Conclusion: A significant number of managed hypertensive patients, 118 (14.3%), have an elevated serum creatinine value when a cut-off point of 1.5mg/dl was used. The figures rose to 230(27.8%) with a serum creatinine value of over 1.4 mg/dl was used. This signifies kidney disease. The level of asymptomatic kidney disease is quite high in our population of treated hypertensive patients. This figure is likely to be higher when tests of microalbuminia and creatinine clearance are performed for this group of patients.