Resistant hypertension and chronic kidney disease: Epidemiology and prognosis

The emergence of new effective therapeutic strategies for the treatment of resistant hypertension such as renal sympathetic denervation technique has lead to a renewed interest in the screening and assessment of prognosis of this specific entity which constitutes a subset of uncontrolled hypertension. Its prevalence is unknown, but estimated between 12 and 15 % among hypertensive subjects from the general population. Several factors have been associated with the development of resistant hypertension, four of which are essential: age, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and vascular structural alteration. Excessive salt intake is also a risk factor for poorly controlled hypertension in patients with salt-dependent hypertension, and may participate to the genesis of resistant hypertension. Because of population ageing and increasing prevalence of diabetes, obesity and chronic kidney disease, the prevalence of resistant hypertension is expected to rise. A better understanding of its determinants and associated risks (such as chronic kidney disease) would identify high-risk groups that may benefit from extensive diagnosis work up and more specific treatments. (C) 2014 Association Societe de nephrologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.