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Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Estimation of Nephron Number in Whole Kidney using the Acid Maceration Method
Published on: May 22, 2019
[Glomerular filtration and associated factors in hypertensive individuals treated at primary care level]
Ana Karina Teixeira da Cunha França1, Alcione Miranda dos Santos, Isabela Leal Calado
1Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brasil. karinafranca2@yahoo.com.br
Insights
High rates of reduced glomerular filtration (GF) were observed in hypertensive individuals in Brazil. Age over 65 and smoking were key factors associated with decreased kidney function, highlighting the need for proactive monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Arterial hypertension (AH) is a major risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Brazil.
- Monitoring glomerular filtration (GF) is crucial for assessing kidney function in hypertensive patients, as decreased GF precedes symptom onset.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess glomerular filtration (GF) and identify associated factors in individuals with arterial hypertension (AH).
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 297 hypertensive patients (with or without diabetes mellitus) in São Luís, Maranhão.
- Data collected included sociodemographic, nutritional status, 24-hour urine GF and microalbuminuria, blood pressure, glucose, creatinine, and lipidogram.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of GF < 60 ml/min was found (24.6% in AH without DM, 18.3% in AH with DM).
- In hypertensive individuals without diabetes, reduced GF was associated with age > 65 years.
- In hypertensive individuals with diabetes, reduced GF was associated with age > 65 years, smoking, and obesity; however, only age and smoking remained significant after adjustment.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of reduced GF (< 60 ml/min) is high among hypertensive patients.
- Age over 65 and smoking habit are independently associated with reduced GF in this population.
- Systematic GF evaluation in hypertensive individuals is essential for the secondary prevention of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Background:
In Brazil, arterial hypertension (AH) constitutes one of the main risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The monitoring of glomerular filtration (GF) is recommended for the assessment of kidney function in hypertensive individuals, as GF decrease precedes symptom onset.
Objective:
To assess GF and its associated factors in hypertensive individuals.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was carried out from January to June 2008 in 297 individuals with arterial hypertension (AH) with or without diabetes mellitus (DM), treated at a primary care facility in the city of São Luís, Maranhão. Patients older than 20 years and of both sexes were included in the study. Sociodemographic and nutritional status data, GF rate and microalbuminuria levels in 24-hour urine were assessed, as well as blood pressure, glucose and serum creatinine levels and a lipidogram.
Results:
Mean age was 60.6 x 11.5 years, with a predominance of the female sex (75.1%), overweight/obesity (65.0%) and large waist circumference (60.6%). The prevalence of GF < 60 ml/min was 24.6% in the AH group without DM and 18.3% in the AH group with DM, with no significant difference. For the AH group without DM, there was an association only between reduced GF and age > 65 years, which remained after adjustment. For the AH group with DM, there was an association between reduced GF and age > 65 years, smoking habit and obesity. However, after the adjustment, age and smoking habit remained as associated factors.
Conclusion:
In these patients, the prevalence of GF < 60 ml/min was high and after the adjustment, only age > 65 years and smoking habit were shown to be factors associated to GF. This reinforces the need to systematically evaluate GF in hypertensive individuals, aiming at the secondary prevention of chronic kidney disease.
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