摘要：Menopause is accompanied by increased risk of chronic diseases. Hypertension is mostly asymptomatic and if left untreated may progress to renal damage. In the present study, an attempt was made to assess the renal function among hypertensive postmenopausal women with and without renal insufficiency. Forty five postmenopausal women were selected and categorized into three groups - normotensive postmenopausal, hypertensive postmenopausal and hypertensive postmenopausal with renal insufficiency. Serum sodium, potassium, chloride, creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate were assessed in the selected groups. One way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test were performed using SPSS 16.0 statistical software. Sodium levels were significantly elevated in hypertensive postmenopausal women compared to those with renal insufficiency. Whereas potassium levels were significantly decreased in hypertensive postmenopausal women compared to normotensives. No significant difference was observed in chloride levels. Serum creatinine levels were significantly increased in hypertensive postmenopausal with renal insufficiency compared to normotensive and hypertensive postmenopausal women. A significant decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate was found in experimental groups compared to normotensive control. Elevated levels of creatinine and drop in estimated glomerular filtration rate reflected impaired renal function. Elevated sodium and decreased potassium levels in hypertensives might indicate the intake of high sodium and low potassium diet as contributing factor for the development of hypertension.
