Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease in Newly Diagnosed Hypertensive Subjects in Southeast Nigeria

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional analytical study involving consenting newly diagnosed hypertensive patients who presented at GOPD of Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, within 0-3 months of diagnosis; and non-hypertensive controls. A semi-structured interviewer- administered questionnaire was used to record the socio-demographic, anthropometric, clinical and bio-chemical characteristics of the respondents. Data were analyzed and compared between the hypertensive group and the non-hypertensive control group. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty participants took part in the study. However, only 240 completed the study (120 hypertensive, and 120 control participants). After follow-up for 3 months, 42 (35.0%) hypertensive patients had CKD compared to 11 (9.2%) of the non-hypertensive control group. The prevalence of CKD in the hypertensive participants was significantly higher (2=23.27, p<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis of CKD with variables in the hypertensive study group showed an association between CKD and sex (p=0.020), serum triglycerides (p=0.030) as well as serum uric acid (p=0.030). In the control group there was significant association between CKD and sex (p=0.020), serum total cholesterol (p=0.030) as well as serum uric acid (p=0.030). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CKD among newly diagnosed hypertensives in southeast Nigeria was high. In this group, CKD had an association with sex, serum uric acid and serum triglyceride.