Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Microalbuminuria in Newly Diagnosed Hypertensive Subjects

Abstract

Background: Microalbuminuria has been found to be associated with some cardiovascular risk factors in both diabetic and hypertensive non diabetic patients. Methods: One hundred and five newly diagnosed drug naïve hypertensive patients were recruited after excluding subjects who had clinical proteinuria, evidence of renal disease (GFR<60ml s/min) and diabetes. Microalbuminuria was detected in freshly voided early morning urine with Micral strips. Results: Prevalence microalbuminuria was found in 41 % of the population studied and 32.7% of males and 48.2% of females. There was a trend towards increased levels of metabolic and non- metabolic cardiovascular risk factors among subjects who had microalbuminuria. Uric acid (OR= 1.74, p=0.02), triglyceride (OR=1.004, p=0.02), and
FBS (OR=1.64, p=0.04) were significant determinants of microalbuminuria
Subjects who had microalbuminuria were more likely to have LVH (OR=8.02, p<0.001) and hypertensive retinal changes (OR=11.62, P<0.001). Conclusion: Microalbuminuria is associated with increasing levels of cardiovascular risk factors and development of target organ damage in hypertensive patients.

Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 17 (4) 2008: pp. 452-456