Correlation among high salt intake, blood pressure variability, and target organ damage in patients with essential hypertension: Study protocol clinical trial (SPIRIT compliant)

BACKGROUND: Essential hypertension is a multifactorial disease, which is affected by genetic and environmental factors, and can cause diseases such as cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, coronary heart disease, and chronic renal failure. High salt intake is a risk factor for hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Blood pressure variability (BPV) is a reliable independent predictor of cardiovascular events and death. At present, there are few studies about the correlation among high salt intake, BPV, and target organ damage (TOD) in patients with hypertension. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to compare 24-hour urine sodium excretion, BPV, carotid intima–media thickness, left ventricular mass index, and serum creatinine or endogenous creatinine clearance rate. To clarify the relationship between high salt load and BPV and TOD in patients with hypertension. This study is a cross-sectional study. It will recruit 600 patients with essential hypertension in the outpatient and inpatient department of cardiovascular medicine of Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital. Researchers will obtain blood and urine samples with the patient's informed consent. In addition, we will measure patient's blood pressure and target organ-related information. TRIAL REGISTRY: The study protocol was approved by the Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital. Written informed consent will be obtained from all the participants. The trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical trial registry, ChiCTR2000029243. This trial will provide for the correlation among high salt intake, BPV, and TOD in patients with essential hypertension.