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Published on: June 23, 2015
Hypertension in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: a meta-analysis
Matko Marlais1, Oliver Cuthell2, Dean Langan1
1Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
Insights
Hypertension affects 20% of children with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Regular blood pressure monitoring is recommended for early detection in at-risk children.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Background:
- Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common genetic disorder.
- Hypertension is a known complication of ADPKD, but its prevalence in childhood is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the prevalence of hypertension in children and young individuals (<21 years) diagnosed with ADPKD.
- To determine the prevalence of associated conditions like proteinuria and reduced renal function in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across MEDLINE and EMBASE from 1980 to 2015.
- Studies were independently selected by two authors, including observational series with over 15 children.
- Meta-analysis was used to calculate the weighted mean prevalence of hypertension, proteinuria, and reduced renal function.
Main Results:
- The meta-analysis included 14 studies encompassing 928 children with ADPKD.
- A significant prevalence of hypertension was found, estimated at 20% (95% CI 15% to 27%).
- The prevalence of proteinuria was estimated at 20% and reduced renal function at 8% among children with ADPKD.
Conclusions:
- The study estimates that 20% of children with ADPKD experience hypertension.
- A substantial number of children with ADPKD may remain undiagnosed due to lack of regular follow-up.
- Regular blood pressure measurement is recommended for all children at risk for ADPKD.
Context:
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common disorder that can cause hypertension during childhood, but the true prevalence of hypertension during childhood is not known.
Objective:
We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of hypertension in children with ADPKD.
Data Sources:
Systematic review of articles published between 1980 and 2015 in MEDLINE and EMBASE.
Study Selection:
Studies selected by two authors independently if reporting data on prevalence of hypertension in children and young persons aged <21 years with a diagnosis of ADPKD. Observational series were included with study populations of >15 children. Articles were excluded if inadequate diagnostic criteria for hypertension were used. Studies with selection bias were included but analysed separately.
Data Extraction:
Data extracted on prevalence of hypertension, proteinuria and reduced renal function using standardised form. Meta-analysis was performed to calculate weighted mean prevalence.
Results:
903 articles were retrieved from our search; 14 studies met the inclusion criteria: 1 prospective randomised controlled trial; 8 prospective observational studies; and 5 retrospective cross-sectional studies. From 928 children with clinically confirmed ADPKD, 20% (95% CI 15% to 27%) were hypertensive. The estimated prevalence of proteinuria in children with ADPKD is 20% (8 studies; 95% CI 9% to 40%) while reduced renal function occurred in 8% (5 studies; 95% CI 2% to 26%).
Limitations:
Studies showed a high degree of methodological heterogeneity (I2=73.4%, τ2=0.3408, p<0.0001). Most studies did not use ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring to diagnose hypertension.
Conclusions:
In this meta-analysis we estimate 20% of children with ADPKD have hypertension. In the population, many children with ADPKD are not under regular follow-up and remain undiagnosed. We recommend that all children at risk of ADPKD have regular BP measurement.
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