Awareness of Hypertension andProteinuria in Randomly Selected Patientsin 11 Italian Cities. A 2005 Report of theNational Kidney Foundation of Italy

Andrea Galassi, Md; 1,; 2 Diego Brancaccio,; Md, 1; 3 Mario Cozzolino,; Phd, Md; 1,; Bellinghieri, Guido; Md, 1; 4 Umberto Buoncristiani,; Md, 1; 5 Fosco Cavatorta,; Md, 1; 6 Ludovica D’Apice,; Md, 1; 7 Biagio Di Iorio,; Md, 1; 8 Loreto Gesualdo,; Md, 1; 9 Salvatore Gianni,; Md, 1; 10 Biagio Ricciardi,; Md, 1; 11 Domenico Russo,; Md, 1; 12 Vittorio Andreucci,; Md1,

Arterial hypertension and proteinuria are risk factors for chronic kidney disease. A mobile clinic was parked in a central plaza of 11 Italian cities to check blood pressure (BP), prescribe antihypertensive drugs, assess for proteinuria, and provide awareness about hypertension. Among 3757 patients, 56% were hypertensive, 37% were not diabetic nor proteinuric with BP140 ⁄ 90 mm Hg, 17% were diabetic or proteinuric with BP 130 ⁄ 80 mm Hg, and 11% were on treatment with BP at target. Among 1204 treated patients, 400 (33%) had controlled BP. Among all 2114 hypertensive patients, only 1344 (64%) were aware of their hypertension. Awareness was greater among treated patients at target (99%). As many as 523 (14%) patients had proteinuria 30 mg⁄ dL. The authors conclude that awareness of people walking in the street about their BP and proteinuria is insufficient. Mobile screening clinics may increase public awareness and detection of hypertension and proteinuria in the general community and detect patients at risk for chronic kidney disease.