A Study to Assess Microalbuminuria in Newly Diagnosed Patients of Essential Hypertension and Its Correlation with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness

Abstract

Background: High blood pressure (BP) is ranked as the third most important risk factor for attributable burden of disease in
south Asia (2010). The present study was conducted for determining the prevalence of microalbuminuria in hypertension and
examination of its correlation with severity of hypertension, LVH and CCIMT. Materials & methods: The presents study
was conducted for determining the prevalence of microalbuminuria in hypertension and examination of its correlation with
severity of hypertension, LVH and CCIMT. Patients attending medical OPD and ward of our hospital were studied. Patients
satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria were subjected to detailed history and physical examination with special emphasis
on the examination of cardiovascular system. Microalbuminuria was measured in all patients in a 24h urinary sample.
Echocardiography was done in all patients. Left ventricular mass (LVM) was calculated. LVID was the left ventricular
internal diameter, 1.04 specific gravity of the myocardium and 0.8 is the correction factor LVM index (LVMI) was
calculated by dividing LVM by body surface area of the patients and represented as g/m2. LVH considered being present if
LVMI was ≥131 g/m2
in men and LVMI ≥100 g/m2
 in women. CCIMT was measured in all patients included in the study.
All recorded were analysed. Results: Among patients with stage I hypertension, Microalbuminuria was present in 33.33
percent of the patients while LVH was present in 34.04 percent of the patients. Increased CCIMT was seen in 33.33 percent
of the patients. Among patients with stage II hypertension, Microalbuminuria was present in 66.67 percent of the patients
while LVH was present in 63.96 percent of the patients. Increased CCIMT was seen in 66.67 percent of the patients. Overall,
Microalbuminuria was present in 48 percent of the patients while LVH was present in 47 percent of the patients. Increased
CCIMT was seen in 48 percent of the patients. Mean LVM among patients with Microalbuminuria was 193.74 gram and was
significantly higher in comparison to the patients without Microalbuminuria (132.99 gram). Mean LVMI among patients
with Microalbuminuria was 116.33 g/m2
 and was significantly higher in comparison to the patients without
Microalbuminuria (106.55 g/m2
). LVH was present in 68.75 percent of the patients with Microalbuminuria and 26.92
percent of the patients without Microalbuminuria. Significant results obtained while assessing the correlation of
Microalbuminuria and LVH. Increased CCIMT was present in 83.33 percent of the patients with Microalbuminuria and
15.38 percent of the patients without Microalbuminuria. Significant results obtained while assessing the correlation of
Microalbuminuria and CCIMT.Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the presence of Microalbuminuria in a
significant number of newly detected and untreated patients of essential hypertension.