Evaluation of ultrasonic renal volume in relation to body size in patients with hypertension: Comparative cross-sectional study

IntroductionEstimation of renal size is useful parameter in the diagnosis of abnormal structural change on the kidneys due to the adverse effects of chronic diseases like hypertension. This study evaluated renal volume by ultrasound in relation to body size parameters, notably BMI and body surface area in hypertensive and non-hypertensive individuals. MethodsA hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from February to September 2018 at the Radiology department of the Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC). The study included consecutively selected samples of ambulatory hypertensive patients and non-hypertensive controls recruited consecutively on voluntary basis. After providing verbal informed consent, each subject underwent abdominal ultrasound examination; length, width and thickness of both kidneys were measured and used for estimation of renal volume. The statistical evaluation included independent samples t-tests for mean differences with regard to ultrasonic renal measurements between hypertensive and non-hypertensive groups, ResultsA total of 145 adults aged 16 - 80 years (mean {+/-}SD=44 {+/-}17) participated in the study. In the hypertensive group, renal volume ranged 36.1 - 201.6 (mean=97.7) cm3 for the right kidney and 39.6 - 189.5 (mean=104.4) cm3 for the left kidney, whilst it was 61.8 - 159.5 (mean=101.1) cm3 for the right and 35.8 - 253.7 (mean=111.8) cm3 for the left kidney among the control group. Both kidneys were slightly smaller in the hypertensive group as compared to the controls. Right renal volume to BSA ratio ranged from 23.5 - 100.6 (mean=58.2) cm3/m2 in hypertensive group, while it was between 37.0 and 96.1 (mean=62.6) cm3/m2 among the control group (p=0.076). Left renal volume to BSA of the patients which ranged from 24.1 - 97.1 (mean=62.2) cm3/m2 was significantly (p=0.012) lower than that of the non-hypertensive group, which was between 23.6 and 132.5 (mean=69.3) cm3/m2. ConclusionThe results of this study have shown slightly smaller bilateral renal volume among hypertensive patients as compared the controls. We recommend large scale research in other parts of Ethiopia so that nationally representative data can be obtained.