Serum Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels Correlate with the Severity of Hypertension in a Population of Nigerian Patients.

Background: Hypertension is a major global health concern requiring precise risk assessment. Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) has emerged as a potential biomarker, but its relationship with hypertension severity requires exploration to evaluate its potential as a risk prediction tool. This study aimed to assess the relationship between serum BNP levels and the severity of hypertension in a population of Nigerian patients.

Methodology: This was an analytical cross-sectional case-controlled study involving 103 hypertensive patients and 98 controls. Participants were grouped based on World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for diagnosis of Hypertension and the severity of hypertension was categorized based on blood pressure readings. The mean BNP levels were assessed among different hypertension grades, while logistic regression was used to assess the odds of higher severity with elevated BNP.

Results: Serum BNP levels were significantly higher in hypertensive individuals (616.5 ± 66.3 pg/mL) compared to controls (501.1 ± 84.6 pg/mL) and varied significantly across different hypertension grades (p = 0.000). A positive correlation was observed between serum BNP and hypertension severity (r = 0.736, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated increasing odds of higher severity with elevated BNP from Grade 1 to Grade 3 hypertension.

Conclusion: This study established a positive correlation between serum BNP levels and hypertension severity, indicating its potential as a predictive biomarker for risk stratification in hypertensive individuals.