The relations of microalbuminuria to ambulatory blood pressure and myocardial wall thickness in a population.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between microalbuminuria (20-200 microg min(-1)) and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure and heart wall thickness, in a representative population sample of men and women aged 56-65 years.


METHODS
Every second individual aged 56-65 years (n=488) in the district, was invited for a health examination, which included determination of urinary albumin and creatinine (overnight sample). The highest and lowest decentile of urinary albumin/creatinine ratio were compared.


METHODS
The district of the Primary Health Care and Research Centre of Mölnlycke, Sweden.


METHODS
After excluding 2 individuals with a urinary albumin excretion exceeding 200 microg min(-1). 26 subjects (group 1) could be compared with 27 subjects in the lowest decentile (group 2).


METHODS
Comparison between the determinations of the ambulatory blood pressure and echocardiographic variables in the two groups.


RESULTS
Group 1 had significantly higher 24 h ambulatory blood pressure, and heart septum and posterior wall thickness as well as significantly higher fasting blood glucose and serum triglyceride concentrations. The differences in blood pressure (P < 0.05) but not heart wall thickness remained significant (P<0.05) after excluding subjects with hypertension, angina pectoris, treated diabetes mellitus, and/or history of heart or cerebrovascular disease. When excluding individuals with both treated and untreated diabetes mellitus, fasting blood glucose concentration was higher in group 1. The waist-hip ratio, weight and body mass index did not differ between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that microalbuminuria is related to signs of cardiovascular and metabolic influence and therefore could be a valuable tool for grading the risk of later cardiovascular morbidity.
Department of Primary Health Care, Mölnlycke Primary Health Care and Research Centre, Göteberg, Sweden.
T
T
Nilsson
A
A
Svensson
L
L
Lapidus
G
G
Lindstedt
E
E
Nyström
R
R
Eggertsen
D000368:Aged; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013548:Sweden; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D014280:Triglycerides; D003404:Creatinine