Evaluation of Serum Uric Acid and Creatinine in Post-Menopausal Women Residing in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) As a Risk Factor for Renal Failure

Abstract

Menopause is a turning point in the life of a woman where the woman faces hormonal changes that may predispose the individual to different health problems and renal dysfunction being one of them. This analysis did an assessment on the uric acid and creatinine concentrations in the serum of post-menopausal women living in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) as a way of determining whether they can be used as early predictors of the risk of renal failure. A total of 215 volunteers were recruited, of which 165 were post-menopausal women and 50 were pre-menopausal controls of the same age group. Blood samples were taken and blood analyzed by regular enzyme and colorimetric methods. The findings showed that there were significantly higher levels of serum uric acid (427.10 ± 114.54µmol/L) and creatinine (118.43 ± 60.35µmol/L) in post-menopausal women than in the control group (p < 0.05). Further, there was a weak but significant positive correlation between serum uric acid and creatinine (r= 0 53) and each biomarker with the BMI. This is an indication that menopause can be a predisposing factor to kidney impairment because of the loss of protective effects that estrogen had on the kidney. It is recommended that renal biomarkers should be monitored regularly in women, especially post-menopausal and peri-menopausal women to detect the onset of chronic kidney disease and prevent it.