Assessment of Albuminuria and Serum Levels of Lipoprotein (A) and Their Correlation in Hypertensive Patients in a Government Hospital, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria

Hypertension is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and the main cause of death worldwide. Some studies have reported a positive association between microalbuminuria and lipoprotein (a) with cardiovascular disease in hypertensive patients. Hence, the objective of this paper was to assess albuminuria and serum levels of Lipoprotein (a) (Lp [a]) and their correlation in hypertensive patients in a Government hospital in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques. Data collected showed that Thirty (15.0%) vs. 0 (0.0%) had microalbuminuria in the hypertensive and control groups respectively. The difference in the two groups was statistically significant (P-value =0.046). The mean urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) were 1.02 ± 1.42 vs. 0.28 ± 0.16 mg/mmol in the hypertensive and control groups respectively. The difference in the two groups was statistically significant (<0.001). One hundred and fifteen (57.5%) vs. 18 (18.0%) had elevated Lp (a) in hypertensive and control groups respectively. The difference in the two groups was statistically significant (P-value <0.001). The mean Lp (a) were 32.77 ± 16.61 vs. 16.88 ± 13.85 mg/dl in the hypertensive and control groups respectively. The difference in the two groups was statistically significant (<0.001). There was a significant weak negative correlation between UACR and Lp (a) in the hypertensive group (Pearson’s Correlation = -0.214, P-value = 0.019). The serum levels of Lp (a) and UACR were significantly higher in the hypertensives than in the controls. There was a significant weak negative correlation between UACR and Lp (a) in the hypertensive group. Thus, routine screening for serum Lp (a) will enhance the assessment of hypertensive patients for risk of cardiovascular disease.