Determination Of Plasma Levels Of Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 In Ghanaian Individuals With Hypertension And Chronic Kidney Disease

ABSTRACT

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a newly found hormone that promotes renal phosphate excretion. It is secreted by osteocytes. In progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD), FGF23 levels increase in parallel with the deterioration of renal function, thus serves as a novel risk marker for progression of chronic kidney disease. The physiologic stimulus for FGF23 secretion is linked to hyperphosphatemia caused by phosphate load. Elevated FGF23 levels have spurious effects such as vascular calcification, left ventricular hypertrophy, end stage renal disease and death especially in renal impaired patients and patients at risk of developing renal impairment such as hypertensive patients. Aim: The aim of the study was to measure the levels of FGF23 in non-hypertensive, hypertensive and chronic kidney disease patients. Specific objectives: The study determined and compared the level of FGF23 among normotensive, hypertensive, and CKD individuals as well as identified risk factors associated with increase in FGF23 plasma level in individuals with hypertension. Materials and methods: The study was a hospital based case control study in which purposive sampling was used to select the study subjects. It was conducted at the Holy Family Hospital, Techiman. In all, 146 respondents took part in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to gather their anthropometric and demographic characteristics. Blood and urine samples were taken for biochemical analysis for urea, creatinine, sodium, calcium, phosphate, and albumin whiles FGF23 was analyzed from citrated plasma.