Prevalence of Microalbuminuria in Essential Hypertension and its Association with Coronary Artery Disease: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Hypertension is a leading aetiology of cardiovascular and renal diseases. Microalbuminuria, an indicator of endothelial dysfunction, has been linked with hypertensive nephropathy as well as cardiovascular disease. Tests to detect microalbuminuria, like the spot urine albumincreatinine ratio, are easily accessible and not expensive. Aim: To determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria in essential hypertension and its association with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) based on Electrocardiogram (ECG) and Echocardiographic (2D-ECHO) findings. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional survey of 150 patients with hypertension was was performed in the Department of General Medicine at Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pune,India during an 18-month period from October 2023 to March 2025 and assessment of blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI), and biochemical parameters was done. Microalbuminuria was assessed and its association with cardiovascular abnormalities was checked by ECG and 2D-ECHO findings. Statistical association (done using Chi-square tests or Fisher’s-exact test for categorical data; Logistic regression analysis for establishing microalbuminuria as a predictor of cardiovascular disease) was checked to ascertain whether microalbuminuria has any prognostic value in stratifying cardiovascular risk. Results: The incidence of microalbuminuria in patients with hypertension was 67 (44.6%) and there was a significant relationship between microalbuminuria and systolic (p=0.041) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.019). Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) was seen in 32 (21.3%) of the patients. It is a marker of long standing, uncontrolled hypertension and was significantly associated with microalbuminuria (p=0.014). Logistic regression analysis detected microalbuminuria (OR=3.759, p=0.006) as independent predictor of cardiovascular abnormalities. Conclusion: Hypertension is a major healthcare burden with increasing prevalence. It can lead to several complications. Microalbuminuria was found to be present in about 44% of the study population. This study shows a positive association between microalbuminuria and cardiovascular disease {Odds Ratio (OR) of 3.759}.