Possibility of achieving target blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension in relation to renal functional status and age

Aim. To study renal junctional changes in patients with essential hypertension (EH) and normal blood creatinine levels during antihypertensive therapy with currently available drugs to achieve blood pressure lower than 140/90 mm Hg. Materials and methods. Renal functional changes were studied in 114 patients with EH and normal blood creatinine levels during antihypertensive therapy aimed at achieving blood pressure lower than 140190 mm Hg. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault formula and blood creatinine levels were measured before and 6, 12, 24, 52 weeks of treatment. Results. Renal dysfunction was detected in 43.9% of the patients as GFR < 80 ml/min in 35.1% and hyperfiltration (GFR > 140 ml/min) it? 8.8%. The patients with baseline decreased GFR were older, had a longer history of EH, and lower body-mass index than those with hyperfiltration (p < 0.05). There was a considerable renal functional improvement in patients with baseline decreased GFR and achieved BP < 140190 mm Hg. Target BP could be achieved only in 20% of the patients with hyperfiltration. Antihypertensive, therapy caused reduced hyperfiltration in these patients. In patients aged over 60 years who had a baseline GFR < 80 ml/min, achievement of target BP also promoted renal functional improvement. Conclusion. Most patients with EH and normal blood creatinine levels have renal dysfunction. Normalization of BP substantially improves renal functional parameters irrespective of age.