Microalbuminuria in Newly Diagnosed Hypertensive Patients and Its Correlation with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Abstract

Background and Objective: One of the most important factors in the development of cardiovascular
diseases worldwide is Hypertension. A reliable indicator and a diagnostic modality in early stage of renal
diseases and predictor of atrial hypertension (AH) progression is microalbuminuria (MAU) which is also an
independent risk factor of cardiovascular mortality and death. We aim to determine the prevalence of
microalbuminuria and left ventricular hypertrophy and assess correlation between micro albuminuria and
LVH among newly diagnosed hypertensive patients.
Methods: Across-sectional study was conducted in Medical Unit IV, Jinnah Hospital Lahore from January to
June 2022.About 146 adults newly diagnosed hypertensive patients were included in the study. Blood pressure
was measured using a sphygmomanometer with a standard cuff in the sitting position, with two measurements
made at least 5 min apart. Microalbuminuria was defined as albumin excretion of 30 to 300 mg/dl in a spot urine
sample report. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was defined as the presence of concentric hypertrophy or
diastolic dysfunction determined on Trans Thoracic ECHO by a cardiologist. Data was entered in SPSS Ver:
25.0 for data analysis and graphical presentation. For quantitative variables like age, ACR; the mean and
standard deviation were calculated. Prevalence and correlation of MAU and LVH in newly diagnosed
hypertensive patients were found using Spearmen's Rank Correlation Analysis. A chi-square test was
performed to compare MAU and LVH. The p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: 146 subjects fulfilling the inclusion criteria were admitted. The mean age was 48.281 + 24.865.
72.6% were male in our study. 30.8% of patients had LVH and microalbuminuria was present in 47.5% of
subjects. About 28.6% of patients with LVH had MAU. (p=.030). There was a positive correlation between
LVH and MAU. (r=0.135, P=.002).
Conclusions: Our study concludes a high prevalence of microalbuminuria and LVH in newly diagnosed
hypertensive. There is a positive correlation between microalbuminuria and LVH and can be a predictor of
cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.