Association Between Prognostic Nutritional Index and Microalbuminuria in Patients With Primary Hypertension
TL;DR
Serum albumin levels, lymphocyte counts, and PNI values were significantly lower in patients with microalbuminuria, whereas ACR values were significantly higher, although there was no significant difference in terms of age or GFR.
Abstract
Aim: Primary hypertension is associated with chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction and may lead to subclinical target organ damage in the early stages. Microalbuminuria is considered an early and sensitive marker of hypertension-related renal and vascular injury. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is an easily applicable indicator reflecting both inflammatory and nutritional status. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between PNI and microalbuminuria in patients with primary hypertension.Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included 151 patients aged 18–65 years diagnosed with primary hypertension. Patients were divided into two groups based on spot urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR): normoalbuminuria (ACR < 30 mg/g) and microalbuminuria (ACR 30–300 mg/g). Demographic characteristics, serum albumin levels, total lymphocyte counts, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and ACR values were recorded. PNI was calculated using the formula: (10 × serum albumin [g/dL]) + (0.005 × total lymphocyte count [/mm³]).Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age or GFR (p=0.755 and p=0.714, respectively). The proportion of female patients was significantly higher in the microalbuminuria group (p=0.025). Serum albumin levels, lymphocyte counts, and PNI values were significantly lower in patients with microalbuminuria, whereas ACR values were significantly higher (all p