Objective: The purposes of the present study are to determine the effect of one year usual care of nondiabetic hypertensive patients (non-DM HT patients) at the Hypertension clinic to find conversion rate of MAU to NAU and occurrence rate of NAU to MAU. In addition, to identify factors which affect the regression of MAU to NAU.
Material and Method: The present Cohort Study was carried out from February to June 2007, at the Out-patient Department, Siriraj Hospital. Two thirds of those hypertensive patients who underwent MAU detection in the previous study were asked to collect morning urine. They did not have DM or impaired fasting glucose (FPG 100-125 mg/dl), chronic kidney disease (Cr. > 1.5 mg/dl) and leukocyturia (wbc > 5 cells/HPF). MAU was again tested by using Microalbustix test®. They were also asked to answer a short predefined questionnaire used in the previous study and have their BP’s measured once after 5 minute rest, including abdominal circumference and body weight.
Results: A total of 334 non-DM HT patients, 112 male, were enrolled in the present study. Three of them were excluded due to leukocyturia. After one year, 55 cases out of 69 MAU patients (79.7%) became NAU (p-value < 0.001) and 16 cases out of 262 NAU patients (6.1%) developed MAU (p-value < 0.001).
Conclusion: The conversion rate of MAU to NAU was 79.7% and the occurrence rate of MAU from NAU was 6.1%. Annual MAU check up as a continuous monitoring should be carried out in every non-DM HT patients.

Keywords: Microalbuminuria, Nondiabetic hypertension