The Relationship between Microalbuminuria, Insulin Resistance and Renal Blood Flow in Patients with Primary Hypertension

Objective: Prevalence of hypertension is increasing and it is a common health problem which leads to damage in several organs. High blood pressure affects several organ systems; one of which is the kidney. Currently microalbuminuria is increasingly used as an indicator of renal damage. Insulin resistance is one of the factors that plays a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. There is an inverse relationship between renal blood flow and resistivity index by renal doppler untrosonography. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between microalbuminuria, insulin resistance and renal blood flow-RI in patients with primary hypertension. Methods: Eighty patients with essential hypertension were included in our study. Microalbuminuria was measured on spot urine. Homa-IR for insulin resistance was calculated by glucose and insulin levels at fasting blood glucose. RI was investigateded by renal doppler ultrasonography. RI values were compared in patients with/without microalbuminuria and with/without insulin resistance. Also the effect of age and gender on RI value was studied. Results: A total of 42 women and 38 men with hypertension were studied. Mean age of the patients was 51.9 +/- 9.5; 49 of them were over 50 years. Thirty two patients had microalbuminuria and 17 of these patients were over 50 years. An elevated RI value was observed in 7 patients and all of them were over 50 years. There was no correlation between RI and microalbuminuria. Conclusion: We found elevated RI values in older patients. However, there was no relationship between RI and gender, microalbuminuria or insulin resistance.