Mild renal insufficiency - a cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients

Abnormalities of renal function have significant effects on cardiovascular outcomes in hypertensive patients. The objective of this study was to analyze the association of various cardiovascular risk factors with renal insufficiency in hypertensive patients seen in our hypertension clinic. We analyzed demographic, clinical and biochemical data from 325 essential hypertension patients referred to our tertiary referral clinic from Jan 2000 to Oct 2002. Abnormalities of renal function included mild chronic renal insufficiency and the presence of micro/macroalbuminuria. The presence of mild renal insufficiency was ascertained either by a serum creatinine ≥1.5mg/dl in men or ≥1.4 mg/dl in women, or a creatinine clearance estimated by the Cockroft-Gault formula or by a 24 hour urine collection. Microalbuminuria was detected by commercially available Micral test or 24 hour urine collection in some cases. Macroalbuminuria was detected by dipstick or 24 hour urine collection showing > 300...