Biochemical Markers of Inflammation in Patients with Hypertension at a Federal Medical Centre in Niger State

Chronic low-grade inflammation is increasingly recognized as a contributor to hypertension pathogenesis and its cardiovascular complications, yet its biochemical characterization in hypertensive patients in central Nigeria is understudied. This study evaluates selected inflammatory biomarkers in hypertensive patients attending the Federal Medical Centre Bida, Niger State. Eighty confirmed hypertensive patients and forty normotensive age-matched controls were enrolled. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure consistently above 140/90 mmHg on two separate clinic visits or documented use of antihypertensive medication. Fasting blood samples were collected and serum analysed for C-reactive protein (CRP) by high-sensitivity immunoturbidimetric assay, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fibrinogen by the Clauss clotting method, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by ELISA. Serum homocysteine was measured as an additional cardiovascular risk biomarker. Results show significantly elevated high-sensitivity CRP, fibrinogen, and IL-6 in hypertensive patients compared to normotensive controls. High-sensitivity CRP exceeded the high cardiovascular risk threshold of 3 milligrams per litre in 56 percent of hypertensive patients. IL-6 was significantly higher in patients with stage 2 hypertension than stage 1. Homocysteine was elevated above 15 micromoles per litre in 42 percent of hypertensive patients, compared to 12 percent in controls. Duration of hypertension and uncontrolled blood pressure were the strongest independent predictors of CRP elevation. The study recommends incorporating inflammatory marker screening into hypertension management protocols. Keywords: inflammation, hypertension, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, Niger State.