Background: Pulse pressure (PP) is a pulsatile component of blood pressure (BP), strongly correlated with arterial stiffness (AS) and impacting prognosis. Disproportionally increased PP values in individuals with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) should be expected, given the multifactorial cardiovascular involvement in the natural course of this disease.
Objectives: To investigate ambulatory PP in a group of ADPKD patients, and to examine the impact of age, sex, kidney function, hypertension, circadian rhythm, and antihypertensive drugs (AH) on studied parameters.
Material and methods: A total of 130 ADPKD patients (median age 41 years, 35% men) who underwent 24-hour BP measurement with portable oscillometer Spacelabs 90217, were included in the study and their recordings were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data and the medical history including antihypertensive treatment were collected, ADPKD was diagnosed based on the criteria by Pei et al., and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated according to the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation.
Results: Pulse pressure in the whole group was 46 (IQR: 42-53) mm Hg and it was significantly higher in men than in women and during the day compared to nighttime. There was a negative correlation of PP with eGFR and a positive correlation with age. Pulse pressure was not different in ADPKD patients with or without a diagnosis of hypertension.
Conclusion: Ambulatory PP is not substantially increased in ADPKD patients across different stages of CKD. It follows a regular pattern of being increased with age, male sex, daytime, and decreasing eGFR, but not with the diagnosis of hypertension.
Keywords: ADPKD; hypertension; pulse pressure.