Microalbuminuria in essential hypertension: A single centre study

To evaluate the prevalence of microalbuminuria in patients with essential hypertension and its relationship to severity of hypertension, to renal function and its association with coronary artery disease and target organ damage, present study was conducted. Total 100 primary hypertensive, non diabetic patients and 25 healthy normotensive, non diabetic patients (controls) admitted in S.S.G.H (Sir Sayajirao General Hospital) from June 2009 to November 2011. Patient's complete history, routine investigation along with microalbuminuria was measured by ACR by immunoturbidimetric method. In present study patient’s mean age was 52.7 years. Total 70% of patients selected for study were males and 30% were females. Total 50% to 75% of patients in the 61 -80 year age group were positive for microalbuminuria. Total 42.85% of males were positive for microalbuminuria as compared to 33.33% of females. Total 75% of patients having hypertension for more than 8 years had microalbuminuria. Total 67.5% of patients positive for microalbuminuria had associated target organ damage. Total 45% of patients positive for microalbuminuria had left ventricular hypertrophy and 40% of patients had hypertensive retinopathy. Microalbuminuria helps to identify incipient nephropathy and vascular changes. Its detection can thus help to prevent the development of complications by aggressive treatment to get down targeting blood pressure.