Correlation of renal volume on ultrasound with renal function tests in hypertensives in University of Benin Teaching Hospital

Background: Long-standing essential hypertension can initiate changes in renal size and alteration in renal function which can be assessed using ultrasound and biochemical tests, respectively. Ultrasound is a noninvasive and affordable investigative modality that is readily available. Patients and Methods: One hundred and fifty patients consisting of 54 (36%) males and 96 (64%) females with essential hypertension attending cardiology outpatient clinic were recruited and investigated after obtaining an informed consent. Renal volume was calculated from ultrasound measurement of renal dimensions. Blood sample was assessed for serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate calculated using the Cockcroft and Gault (CG) and modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formulae. Data analysis was performed using Statistical package for Social Sciences version 17.0. Results: The mean renal volume was 115.7 ± 29.2 cm3 on the right and 132.4 ± 40.2 cm3 on the left. The mean renal volumes for males were 126.1 ± 27.9 cm3 and 141.1 ± 40.6 cm3 while values for female patients were 109.9 ± 28.2 cm3 and 127.5 ± 9.4 cm3 on the right and left, respectively. Differences in renal sizes on both sides were not statistically significant, P = 0.120 and 0.063. Values were significantly higher in male patients compared to the female patients, for both sides (P = 0.001 and 0.046 on the right and left, respectively). Mean serum creatinine was 0.9 ± 0.03 mg/dl. Conclusion: Male hypertensive patients had significant higher renal volume values than females. However, renal volume did not correlate with duration of hypertension for all the patients. There was no correlation between renal volume and renal function using CG and MDRD formula.