ABSTRACT
Hypertension poses a challenge to public health as well as to the medical science. Final metabolite of purine in humans is uric acid, increased serum level of which is associated with cardio-renal risk, although serum uric acid (SUA) level appears to have different effects on blood pressure (BP), depending on level and how long subjects were exposed. We wanted to study the association between hyperuricemia and hypertension, in various aspects, in the context of new 2017 ACC/ AHA High Blood Pressure Clinical Practice Guidelines.METHODSThe study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital, Agartala, Tripura. It is a case control study. SUA estimation was in 160 hypertensive patients and 160 normotensive controls, by using uricase method. SPSS version 24 was used for data entry and analysis. Chi square test and unpaired t test were used, wherever applicable.RESULTSOut of 320 subjects, who were included in the study, 160 subjects were hypertensive and 160 subjects were normotensive. There was strong association between hypertension and hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia is more common in males and in patients with stage II hypertension.CONCLUSIONSThe association between hyperuricemia and hypertension, has long been recognized. It remains unresolved whether the association of high uric acid level with high blood pressure is solely because of the underlying renal and metabolic abnormalities. Association of hyperuricemia and hypertension indicated that, hyperuricemia might be a target for the proposed therapeutic evaluation for the prevention of hypertension and provided impetus for the future design research work including interventional studies.
ABSTRACT
The seed is used as a poultice for broken bones. It is used internally in the treatment of internal bleeding, diarrhoea and excessive menstruation. The root is known as an effective diuretic. In South-East Asia a decoction of the root is used to treat gonorrhoea and is also applied as an emmenagogue and antipyretic. The Nepalese and some tribes in India apply A. spinosus to induce abortion. In Thai traditional medicine, A. spinosus is used to treat diarrhea. The root is also used for toothaches. In many countries, including those in Africa, the bruised leaves are considered a good emollient and applied externally in cases of ulcerated mouths, eczema, burns, wounds, boils, earache and hemorrhoids The leaves are also used for gastroenteritis, gall bladder inflammation, absesses, colic menorrhagia, arthritis and for the treatment of snakebites. The plant ash in a solution is used to wash sores. The plant sap is used as an eye wash to treat ophthalmia and convulsions in children. In Malaysia, A. spinosus is used as an expectorant and to relieve breathing in acute bronchitis. In mainland South-East Asia, it is also used as a sudorific, febrifuge, an antidote to snake poison, and as a galactagogue. During the rainy season which is also malaria endemic season, A. spinosus bark decoction is taken in a volume of about one liter three times a day to ward off malaria.