Systemic hypertension and microalbuminuria.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the prevalence of microalbuminuria and target organ lesions and their association in a hypertensive population undergoing treatment.


METHODS
This observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between April and August 2006, and included 153 hypertensive patients undergoing treatment at the Internal Medicine and Cardiology Outpatient Clinics at a University Hospital in the Southern Region of Brazil.


RESULTS
The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 13.7% (21/153). The clinical and demographic characteristics of groups with and without microalbuminuria were similar. The prevalence of target organ lesions was 48.4%, of which most were cardiac lesions. Target organ lesions were found more often in the microalbuminuria group [76.2% (16/21) versus 43.9% (58/132)] with a significant statistical difference (p=0.006). This was also observed in the cardiac lesions, for both the total population (p=0.003) and the geriatric group (p=0.006).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of microalbuminuria in the study population was 13.7% and that of target organ lesions was 48.4%; a statistically significant association was found. Microalbuminuria is also associated with cardiac lesions, including in the geriatric population.
Stamm
Ana Maria Nunes de Faria
AM
Hospital Universitário Prof. Dr. Polydoro Ernani São Thiago, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil. stamm@ativanet.com.br
Meinerz
Gisele
G
Silva
Jacqueline Consuelo da
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D015415:Biomarkers