Microalbuminuria in Thai essential hypertensive patients

Body mass index (BMI) is associated with microalbuminuria in Chinese hypertensive patients

There is no general consensus on possible factors associated with microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients nor any reported study about this issue in Chinese patients. To examine this issues, 944 hypertensive patients were enrolled in a study based on a cross-sectional survey conducted in Southern China. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify the factors related with the presence of microalbuminuria and urinary excretion of albumin. The prevalence of microalbuminuria in hypertensive and non-diabetic hypertensive patients were 17.16% and 15.25%, respectively. Body mass index (BMI), but not waist circumference (WC), were independently associated with microalbuminuria and the values of urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) based on multiple regression analyses, even after excluding diabetic patients and patients taking inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system from the analyses. Furthermore, patients with obesity (BMI ≥28) had higher levels of ACR, compared with those with normal weight (BMI <24 kg/m²) and overweight (24 kg/m²≤ BMI < 28). In conclusion, BMI, as a modifiable factor, is closely associated with microalbuminuria among Chinese hypertensive patients, which may provide a basis for future development of intervention approaches for these patients.

Prevalence and risk factors of microalbuminuria in Thai nondiabetic hypertensive patients

PURPOSE

To assess the prevalence and risk factors of microalbuminuria in nondiabetic hypertensive patients in Thailand.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed during January to December 2007 at outpatients departments of Bhumibol Adulyadej hospital. Nondiabetic hypertensive patients without a history of pre-existing kidney diseases participated in this study. A questionnaire was used for collecting information on demographics, lifestyle, and family history of cardiovascular and kidney disease. Spot morning urine samples were collected for albuminuria estimation. Albuminuria thresholds were evaluated and defined using albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR).

RESULTS

A total of 559 hypertensive patients (283 males, 276 females), aged 58.0 +/- 11.6 years were enrolled in this study. Microalbuminuria (ACR 17 to 299 mg/g in males and 25 to 299 mg/g in females) was found in 93 cases (16.6%) [15.0%-18.2%]. The independent determinants of elevated urinary albumin excretion in a multiple logistic regression model were; body mass index > or =30 (odds ratio (OR) = 2.24, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.33-3.76) and dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (DCCB) use (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.22-3.02).

CONCLUSION

In Thai nondiabetic hypertensive patients, microalbuminuria was not uncommon. Obesity and use of dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker were found to be the important predictors. Prognostic value of the occurrence of microalbuminuria in this population remains to be determined in prospective cohort studies.