Malignant hypertension and its renal complications in black South Africans.
Malignant hypertension is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among urban black South Africans. Hypertension accounts for 15.9% of all patients and for 34.6% of blacks receiving treatment for end-stage renal failure. Malignant hypertension is more commonly diagnosed than benign hypertension and two-thirds of patients present in the age group 30 - 49 years. Together they are the most common preventable cause of end-stage renal failure in this country. Acute partially reversible renal failure occurs in 20% of patients with malignant hypertension who require dialysis. This is an important subgroup, who may be recognised by their younger age, female preponderance and fulminant presentation. Short-term peritoneal dialysis and effective control of blood pressure will result in satisfactory return of renal function. However, only adequate country-wide control of hypertension will prevent these costly renal complications.
Milne
F J
FJ
Department of Medicine, Coronation Hospital, Johannesburg.
James
S H
SH
Veriava
Y
Y
D044383:Black People; D006801:Humans; D006974:Hypertension, Malignant / Q000150:complications*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000209:etiology; D013019:South Africa