The prevalence and factors related to hypertension (HTN) treatment and control are well investigated in the Western world but remain poorly understood in the Middle East and in middle-income countries such as Lebanon. In order to measure the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control rates of HTN in Lebanon, the authors measured blood pressure (BP) in 1697 adults. The prevalence of optimal BP (<120/80 mm Hg) was 33% and that of pre-HTN (BP ≥120/80 mm Hg but <140/90 mm Hg) was 30%. The prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control (among treated hypertensive) rates of HTN were 36.9%, 53%, 48.9%, and 54.2%, respectively. Overall, only 27% of patients with HTN had their BP under control. Awareness was the most important predictor of treatment. No predictor of control could be identified. The authors concluded that HTN is prevalent in Lebanon and its overall control is low. Improving awareness is the most important target for intervention.

Background Minimal Change Disease (MCD) in relapse is associated with increased podocyte CD80 expression and elevated urinary CD80 excretion, whereas focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) has mild or absent CD80 podocyte expression and normal urinary CD80 excretion. Methods One patient with MCD, one patient with primary FSGS and three patients with recurrent FSGS after transplantation received CD80 blocking antibodies (abatacept or belatacept). Urinary CD80 and CTLA-4 were measured by ELISA. Glomeruli were stained for CD80. Results After abatacept, urinary CD80 became undetectable with concomitant transient resolution of proteinuria in the MCD patient. In contrast, proteinuria remained unchanged after abatacept or belatacept therapy in one patient with primary FSGS and in two recurrent FSGS subjects despite the presence of mild CD80 glomerular expression but normal urinary CD80 excretion. One patient with recurrent FSGS after transplantation had elevated urinary CD80 excretion immediately after surgery which fell spontaneously before abatacept. After Abatacept, his proteinuria remained unchanged for 5 days despite normal urinary CD80 excretion. Conclusion These observations are consistent with a role of podocyte CD80 in the development of proteinuria in MCD. In contrast, CD80 may not play a role in recurrent FSGS since urinary CD80 is only increased transiently after surgery and normalization of urinary CD80 did not result in resolution of proteinuria.

Preventative therapies do not decrease the recurrence rate of recurrent FSGS. However, prompt treatment of recurrence with these therapies may result in improved outcomes.