9A.02: SODIUM SENSITIVE HYPERTENSION: CAN IT BE ASSESSED BY MEASURING URIC ACID LEVELS?

Abstract It was already documented, by many investigators, that hyperuricemia presents an important factor in the development of essential arterial hypertension. The goal of this study was to examine correlation between serum uric acid levels in patients with essential arterial hypertension and index of sodium sensitivity, as the main parameter of salt-sensitive hypertension. The investigation included 236 participants of both sexes. Clinical group included 178 of participants, mean age 59 ± 18.2 years, with at least 5 years of hypertension history and preserved kidney function. They were divided into 2 subgroups according to the serum uric acid levels. Control group involved 58 healthy volunteers, who were age and sex matched with the clinic group. The levels of serum uric acid were measured spectrophotometrically. Sodium sensitivity index was assessed as the main parameter of salt sensitive hypertension. It was calculated as the difference in 24 hours sodium excretion between period of sodium rich diet (250 mmol/24 hours) and sodium lean diet (50 mmol/24 hours), divided by mean arterial pressure, measured twice respectively. First clinical subgroup had 95 patients, with normal uric acid serum values (256 ± 35 μmol/l), and the second subgroup had 83 patients, with significant increase of uric acid serum values (572 ± 49 μmol/l; p