Background Hypertension occurs in approximately 60% of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients. ADPKD increases the risk of premature cardiovascular disease and sudden death. The aim of our study was analysis of a possible genetic modifier, the ACE I/D polymorphism, and its influence on hypertension development in ADPKD patients.
Material and methods Fifty five ADPKD patients (24 men, 31 women, mean age 49.56 ± 8.56 years) were included in the study. Patients were divided into 3 groups: group I - 18 patients (4 men, 14 women, mean age 32.0 ± 14.0 years) at first stage of chronic kidney disease assessed by K/DOQI, II group - 13 patients (5 men, 8 women, mean age 53.0 ± 11.0 years) at 3-4 stage of chronic kidney disease assessed by K/DOQI, III group - 24 patients (14 men, 10 women, mean age 57.0 ± 9.0 years) with chronic kidney failure, treated hemodialysis. Control group consisted of with 30 healthy volunteers (12 men, 18 women, mean age 45.3 ± 11.6 years). In all patients 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), echocardiography (ECHO) and laboratory investigations were done. Blood was collected for determination of the ACE I/D polymorphism.
Results The frequency of the DD alleles in ADPKD patients with chronic renal failure (crf) (III group) was 25% and was significantly higher (x² = 4.217, p = 0.04) compared to group I patients (5.5%) and group II patients (7.7%).
Conclusions In ADPKD patients with DD genotype blood pressure values were significantly higher compared to patients with ID and II genotype. We found no association between ACE polymorphism and hypertension in our ADPKD patients.
Arterial Hypertension 2007, vol. 11, no 6, pages 505-514.