Comparison of Electrolyte, Urea, Creatinine and Lipid Profile Status in Hypertensive and Renal Disease Patients in Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital

Abstract

The pathophysiological interplay between hypertension (HTN) and renal disease (RD) manifests in distinct biochemical

perturbations that are critical for risk stratification and management. This study provides a comparative analysis of

electrolyte homeostasis, renal function, and lipid metabolism across these conditions. A hospital-based, cross-sectional

study was conducted involving 60 participants recruited from ESUT Teaching Hospital, Enugu, and categorized into four

age-matched groups: HTN (n=15), RD (n=15), comorbid HTN/RD (n=15), and healthy controls (n=15). Serum

electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate), urea, creatinine, and a full lipid profile were quantified using

standardized automated and manual spectrophotometric methods. The comorbid HTN/RD group exhibited the most

profound dysregulation, characterized by severe azotemia with creatinine levels elevated over 50-fold (303.43 ± 289.62

µmol/L) compared to controls (52.00 ± 10.28 µmol/L). While electrolyte imbalances were subtle, a significant inter-group

variance in sodium was observed. Lipid profiling revealed a specific atherogenic phenotype in renal and comorbid

groups, marked by significant hypertriglyceridemia (1.57 ± 0.91 and 1.49 ± 0.74 mmol/L, respectively, vs. 1.05 ± 0.35

mmol/L in controls; p=0.046), without concomitant alterations in LDL or total cholesterol. These findings delineate the

most severe deterioration of renal function and a unique lipidemic pattern in comorbid patients, underscoring the

necessity for integrated biochemical monitoring that includes triglyceride surveillance alongside renal parameters to

mitigate the accelerated cardiorenal risk in this population.