In untreated patients with essential hypertension, the prevalence of microalbuminuria was 6.7% and was associated with a worse cardiovascular risk profile and early target organ damage.
Cohort (n=787)
What is the prevalence of microalbuminuria in untreated essential hypertension and how does it correlate with cardiovascular risk factors and target organ damage?
Microalbuminuria in untreated essential hypertension has a lower prevalence than previously reported (6.7%) but serves as an indicator of early target organ damage and a worse cardiovascular risk profile.
The prevalence of microalbuminuria and its relationship with several cardiovascular risk factors and target organ damage were evaluated in a cohort of 787 untreated patients with essential hypertension. Albuminuria was measured as the albumin-to-creatinine ratio in three nonconsecutive, first morning urine samples. The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 6.7%. Albuminuric patients were more likely to be men and to be characterized by higher blood pressure, body mass index, and uric acid levels and lower HDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol-to-LDL cholesterol ratio. Piecewise linear regression analysis demonstrated that uric acid and diastolic blood pressure significantly influence albuminuria and together account for a large part of its variations. K-means cluster analysis performed on the entire cohort of patients confirmed that microalbuminuria is associated with a worse cardiovascular risk profile. Furthermore, microalbuminuria was associated with the presence of target organ damage (eg, electrocardiographic ECG abnormalities and retinal vascular changes). Age and the presence of microalbuminuria act as independent risk factors for the development of ECG abnormalities and retinal vascular changes. Cluster analysis allowed us to identify three subgroups of patients who differed in the presence or absence of microalbuminuria, retinopathy, and ECG abnormalities. We conclude that the prevalence of microalbuminuria in essential hypertension is lower than previously reported. Increased urinary albumin excretion is associated with a worse cardiovascular risk profile and is a concomitant indicator of early target organ damage.
Pontremoli et al. (1997) conducted a cohort in Essential hypertension (n=787). Microalbuminuria vs. Absence of microalbuminuria was evaluated on Prevalence of microalbuminuria. In untreated patients with essential hypertension, the prevalence of microalbuminuria was 6.7% and was associated with a worse cardiovascular risk profile and early target organ damage.