Serum Albumin and Uric Acid Levels Among Hypertensive Patients in Northwest Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross‐Sectional Study

Levels of High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein and Albuminuria and Their Correlation in Hypertensive Patients in Southern Part of Nigeria

Background: Inflammation is a critical factor in the development and progression of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease. Accordingly, elevated levels of inflammatory markers, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HSCRP), have been reported in patients with hypertension. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate serum HSCRP levels and albuminuria and to determine their correlation in patients with hypertension. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 300 participants, comprising 200 individuals with hypertension and 100 normotensive individuals, and was conducted at Delta State Central Hospital, Warri, between October 2022 and December 2023. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic and clinical data, which were analysed using SPSS version 23. Results: Mean HSCRP levels were 4.23 ± 3.31 mg/L in the hypertensive group and 1.50 ± 1.49 mg/L in the control group; the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Mean urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) values were 1.02 ± 1.42 mg/mmol in the hypertensive group and 0.28 ± 0.16 mg/mmol in the control group; this difference was also statistically significant (p < 0.001). A statistically significant weak positive correlation was observed between HSCRP and UACR in the hypertensive group (r = 0.140, p = 0.048). Conclusion: Serum HSCRP and UACR levels were significantly higher in patients with hypertension than in controls. HSCRP and UACR showed a weak positive correlation in the hypertensive group.

Assessment of serum Vitamin D status in hypertensive patients at tertiary care academic hospital

Background: Vitamin D is essential for calcium homeostasis and exerts widespread effects on cardiovascular physiology through the Vitamin D receptor (VDR). Emerging evidence suggests that Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to hypertension through the modulation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system and endothelial function. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between serum Vitamin D levels and hypertension in adults attending a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based case–control study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Himalaya Medical College and Hospital, Paliganj, Bihar, over 4 months following ethical approval. A total of 100 participants aged 30–65 years were enrolled, comprising 50 hypertensive patients (cases) and 50 normotensive individuals (controls). Serum Vitamin D3 levels were measured using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay on the Mini Vidas System. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 30, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient was applied to assess associations, with P<0.05 considered significant. Results: The mean age of cases and controls was 50.8±8.3 years and 49.2±6.9 years, respectively. Hypertensive patients had significantly lower mean serum Vitamin D levels compared to controls (15.1±0.56 ng/mL vs. 24.1±1.1 ng/mL; P<0.001). Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between Vitamin D levels and hypertension (r=−0.323, P=0.001). Conclusion: Hypertensive individuals exhibited significantly lower serum Vitamin D levels, with an inverse correlation between Vitamin D concentration and blood pressure. These findings suggest Vitamin D deficiency as a potential modifiable risk factor for hypertension, warranting larger prospective studies to establish causality and explore preventive strategies.

Comparison of Serum Uric Acid-to-Creatinine Ratio in Patients with Controlled versus Resistant Hypertension

Introduction: Resistant hypertension represents a significant clinical problem and carries a higher cardiovascular and renal risk. Uric acid and renal dysfunction have been proposed to be involved in hypertension, and the ratio of uric acid to creatinine (UA/Cr) could be a better biochemical indicator. Objective: To compare the serum UA/Cr ratio between patients with controlled and resistant hypertension and to see if there is any relationship between serum UA/Cr ratio and resistant hypertension. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out at Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, involving 132 adults with hypertension, with 66 patients with controlled hypertension and 66 with resistant hypertension. Demographic, clinical, blood-pressure and biochemical information were obtained. Serum uric acid and creatinine were determined, and the ratio of UA/Cr was computed. The independent-samples t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, chi-square/Fisher's exact test, correlation analysis and binary logistic regression were used to analyze data. Results: The serum uric acid, creatinine, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and hypertension duration were significantly higher in patients with resistant hypertension than in patients with controlled hypertension, whereas eGFR was lower. The mean UA/Cr ratio was significantly higher in resistant hypertension (6.72 ± 1.58 vs. 6.05 ± 1.46; p=0.011). The ratio positively correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Multivariable adjustment revealed that each UA/Cr increase was an independent risk factor for resistant hypertension (adjusted OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.04–1.73; p=0.023). Conclusions: The elevated serum UA/Cr ratio was independently associated with resistant hypertension and could be a simple biochemical indicator of more severe treatment resistance

C-Reactive Protein–To–Albumin Ratio and its Association with Stroke among Hypertensive Patients in South-Eastern Nigeria: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study

Background:Chronic inflammation is central to the development of hypertension and its complications, including stroke. The C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR), which combines a positive and a negative acute-phase reactant, has emerged as a potential marker of systemic inflammatory burden. However, evidence from sub-Saharan Africa remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the CAR among hypertensive patients and assess its association with stroke status in a South-Eastern Nigerian population. Methods:This pilot case–control study included 20 participants, comprising 10 hypertensive patients and 10 apparently healthy normotensive controls. Serum albumin was measured using the bromocresol green method, while C-reactive protein was determined by an immunoenzymometric assay. CAR was calculated as the ratio of CRP to albumin. Blood pressure was measured using standard protocols and stroke status was determined and supported by clinical findings and neuroimaging reports. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Kendall’s tau-b correlation, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results:Hypertensive patients had significantly lower serum albumin levels and higher CRP concentrations compared with controls (p = 0.004). CAR values were significantly higher among hypertensive participants (range: 1.077–4.667) compared with controls (range: 0.265–0.842) (p = 0.023). A strong positive association was observed between CAR and stroke status (tau-b = 0.618, p = 0.001). Conclusion:CAR is elevated among hypertensive patients and is significantly associated with stroke status, suggesting its potential role as a simple and cost-effective prognostic inflammatory marker. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to validate these findings.

Serum Uric Acid and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross‐Sectional Study From Northeastern Tanzania

Background Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common and disabling complication of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Emerging evidence suggests that elevated serum uric acid (SUA) may associate with microvascular complications; however, data from sub‐Saharan Africa remain limited. We examined the association between hyperuricemia and DPN among adults with T2DM in northern Tanzania. Methods We conducted a hospital‐based cross‐sectional analytical study at a tertiary diabetes clinic from November 2024 to April 2025. Adults aged ≥ 18 years with established T2DM were consecutively recruited. DPN was assessed using the Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS), with DPN defined as TCSS ≥ 6. Fasting SUA was classified as elevated at ≥ 340 μmol/L in women and ≥ 420 μmol/L in men. Multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (aORs). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis assessed discriminatory performance. Results Of 321 clinic attendees, 220 participants met eligibility criteria and were analyzed (mean age < 65 years: 69.1%; male: 53.2%). DPN prevalence was 51.8% (114/220). Elevated SUA was present in 52.7% and was strongly associated with DPN (aOR 5.89, 95% CI 3.01–11.51, p < 0.001). Diabetes duration ≥ 5 years (aOR 3.81, p = 0.016), overweight status (aOR 2.18, p = 0.034), elevated fasting glucose (aOR 2.20, p = 0.022), and low HDL (aOR 2.10, p = 0.040) were independently associated with DPN. Elevated total cholesterol was inversely associated (aOR 0.36, p = 0.003). SUA demonstrated moderate discrimination for DPN (AUC 0.773). Conclusions Hyperuricemia was independently associated with prevalent DPN in this Tanzanian study. SUA may represent a clinically accessible marker for neuropathy risk stratification in resource‐limited settings.

Evaluation of Serum Uric Acid Levels as an Independent Biomarker for Essential Hypertension Severity and Preclinical Target Organ Damage