Correlation between serum liver enzymes and hypertension.

Abstract

Background: The increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly hypertension, poses a global health challenge. Hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and stroke, with emerging evidence suggesting its association with liver dysfunction. Elevated liver enzymes such as ALT, AST, and ALP are potential markers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and related conditions, which may contribute to hypertension's pathophysiology. This study aims to estimate serum liver enzyme levels in hypertensive and normotensive individuals and evaluate the correlation between serum liver enzymes and hypertension.

Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at B.L.D.E (DU) Shri B.M. Patil Medical College with 140 participants, divided into hypertensive and normotensive groups. Liver enzyme levels were measured alongside other clinical parameters. Inclusion criteria included individuals aged ≥18 years with no history of hepatotoxic drug use or severe liver disease. Data were analyzed using SPSS v20, employing t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Chi-square tests to compare groups. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean age of participants was 55.66±11.1 years, with a majority being male. Routine blood parameters did not differ significantly between

groups. However, hypertensive individuals exhibited significantly higher mean levels of ALT, AST, and ALP (p<0.05) compared to normotensive participants.

Conclusion: The study highlights a significant association between elevated liver enzymes and hypertension, suggesting liver dysfunction's potential role in hypertension's pathophysiology. Integrating liver enzyme assessments in hypertension management may provide insights into underlying mechanisms and identify individuals at risk for liver-related complications. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings and their clinical implications.