Prevalence of microalbuminuria in a hypertensive population of northerm Navarre and its relation to other cardiovascular risk factors

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria in a hypertense population in northern Navarre and its relationship to other cardiovascular risk factors. All the known hypertensive patients in our area of work were included, and a transversal study was designed that also evaluated the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, smoking and alcohol drinking. A total of 106 hypertensive patients (54.7% women) were studied. The presence of microalbuminuria was found in 19 patients (18%), and a significant percentage showed other cardiovascular risk factors - diabetes mellitus (24.5%), hypercholesterolemia (61.3%), and obesity (49%). In 12.2% there was a concurrence of arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia and obesity. Eighty-four percent of the diabetics were type 2. The highest percentage of cardiovascular risk factors corresponded to the group of hypertensive patients with positive microalbuminuria, and the most significant differences were found in the group of diabetics. The frequency of microalbuminuria in our hypertensive population was similar to that reported in other papers. A high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was found, especially in the group of hypertensive patients with positive microalbuminuria.