LAUSR

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess if the usefulness of albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) and plaque in carotid artery (PCA)) could be independent from MetS in hypertensive patients. Methods: We identified 100 participants with hypertension with metabolic syndrome. CIMT and PCA were evaluated by ultrasonography. ACR was obtained from first morning urine specimens. MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (USA) Adult Treatment Panel III classification. Results: Hypertensive patients with MetS had a significantly higher prevalence of a CIMT > 0.85 mm (P = .001) and PCA (P < .001) as compared with participants without MetS. CIMT was significantly correlated with fasting triglycerides and fibrinogen levels both in participants with MetS and in those without MetS (all P < .01). Univariate linear regression analysis showed a positive relationship between ACR and PCA, Regression models including ACR, showed that only ACR, BMI, hypertension duration and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were independently associated with ACR. Conclusion: MetS or hypertension are assocated with increased risk of subclinical atherosclerosis. Screening for ACR and PCA in hypertensive patients with MetS may identify at high risk subset for cardiac and renal subclinical organ damage