Blood Pressure (BP) Level and Urine Albumin Excretion (UAE) among Patients with Essential Hypertension Seen in the Primary Care Clinic of a Tertiary Hospital in South-West Nigeria - Abstract
Background: The detection of microalbuminuria (MAL) is a point of care test in primary care that indicates early kidney disease among patients with
essential hypertension. Despite the strong prognosticating index of UAE in hypertension, there is a dearth of local studies at primary care setting that elucidate
the relationship between UAE and BP level. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between UAE and BP level in patients with essential hypertension
attending a primary care clinic in South West Nigeria.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital based study. Data were collected through a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire. Systematic
random sampling technique was used in selecting 360 respondents with essential hypertension. They were screened for MAL using Micral Test strip- II from Roche
Diagnostics. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 was used to analyze data.
Results: The prevalence of MAL was 77.5%. BP was controlled in 24.7% of the respondents. Microalbuminuric respondents had higher mean BP compared
to their normo-albuminuric counterparts (P<0.001). Urinary MAL was directly associated with age (P=0.02) and severity of hypertension according to JNC
VII criteria (P=0.01).
Conclusions: The high prevalence of MAL in this study underscores the significance of screening for MAL in patients with essential hypertension at diagnosis
and at intervals during therapy. This is particularly more important among those with uncontrolled BP and elderly patients. This will assist in risk stratification
and appropriate management.