Evaluation of Selected Renal Markers in Hypertensive Subjects in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Hypertension has become a serious health challenge in the 21 st century because it may cause organ damage as it progresses and could result in increased morbidity and mortality. The study evaluated selected renal markers (urea, creatinine, uric acid and cystatin C) in hypertensive subjects relative to control. A total of 92 subjects were investigated consisting of 31 hypertensive subjects on treatment, 31 hypertensives not on treatment and 30 apparently healthy subjects who served as control subjects. The levels of urea, creatinine and uric acid were determined using spectrophotometric methods while cystatin C was analyzed using enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA) technique. Blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) were also measured in addition to the selected markers. The results showed that urea, uric acid, blood pressure and BMI were significantly higher at p<0.05 while creatinine and cystatin C did not show significant difference (p>0.05) in hypertensive subjects compared with control. It was concluded that urea, uric acid, blood pressure and BMI were significantly high in hypertension. Measurement of these markers could be helpful in identification of patients at high risk of developing renal complications associated with hypertension.