Hypertension, Sedentary Lifestyle and Kidney Disease in Adults: An Ultrasound-Based Cross-Sectional Study from Pakistan

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18066920

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a silent global health issue, with hypertension and sedentary lifestyle recognized as modifiable risk factors. Elevated blood pressure may both cause and result from renal dysfunction, while physical inactivity can exacerbate metabolic disturbances affecting kidney health.

Objective: To evaluate structural kidney abnormalities via ultrasonography and their association with hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, and body mass index in adults attending a hospital in Swabi, Pakistan.

Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 125 adults at the District Headquarter Hospital, Swabi, from August 2023 to January 2024. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Abdominal ultrasonography (Mindray, 3–5 MHz convex transducer) assessed renal stones, cysts, and hydronephrosis. Blood pressure and self-reported physical activity were recorded. Associations were analyzed using SPSS version 25; p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Mean age was 43.8 ± 18.2 years; 55.2% were male. Renal stones were most frequent (right 37.6%, left 22.4%), followed by cysts (right 12.8%, left 4.8%) and mild hydronephrosis (10.4%). No significant associations were observed between kidney abnormalities and hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, or BMI (all p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Structural kidney abnormalities are common in this hospital-based cohort, while traditional risk factors showed no significant associations. Ultrasonography is a valuable tool for early detection, and further prospective studies with functional and biochemical markers are needed to clarify determinants of kidney disease.