Background and Significance of the Problem
The relationship between hypertension and kidney disease has been disputable for decades. Recent studies suggest that there is a definite link between the two disorders and it has been suggested that the relationship is cyclic (Buffet & Ricchetti, 2012). Buffet and Ricchetti (2012) that hypertension occurs in 85-95% of patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. At the same time, uncontrolled hypertension is a significant risk factor for development of the chronic kidney disease. It has been estimated that hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases account for 50% of deaths in patients suffering from kidney disorders (Kauric-Klein, 2012a). Although it is clear that there is a relationship between two types of disorders, there is still a gap in knowledge when it comes to particular risks associated with hypertension and renal disorder.
It is necessary to add that there is still a gap in knowledge associated with strategies to address the issue and prevent development of renal disease in patients with hypertension. Kauric-Klein (2012a, 2012b) notes that blood pressure knowledge, monitoring and supportive educative nursing intervention have a positive impact on people. However, it is still unclear what role can play a combination of such strategies as medication self-management, blood pressure control and lifestyle modifications in the process of slowing down development of renal disease.
Statement of the Problem and Purpose of the Study
Therefore, there is a definite relationship between chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure. At that, there is a significant gap in the knowledge concerning the nature of the relationship between the two disorders. Risk factors associated with development of the chronic kidney disease in patients with hypertension are still unidentified. There is certain research that suggests certain impact of age, gender as well as ethnicity (Jones, 2014). However, the data reported are quite insufficient and it is essential to evaluate major risk factors. Researchers are also unaware of possible tools to prevent development of the renal disorder in patients with high blood pressure (Buffet & Ricchetti, 2012).
The purpose of this research is to identify the effects of high blood pressure associated with renal disorder and to examine effective strategies to address these effects.
Research Questions
The major research questions of this research can be formulated as follows:
- Are age, gender, and lifestyle major risks associated with renal disease and hypertension?
- Will optimal medication self-management, blood pressure control, and lifestyle modifications slow down development of renal impairment in patients with high blood pressure?
Hypothesis
The null hypotheses of the present research can be formulated as follows:
- There is no risks associated with renal disease and hypertension.
- Efficient medication self-management, blood pressure control and lifestyle modification will have no effect on development of chronic kidney disorder in patients with high blood pressure.
The research hypotheses can be formulated in the following way:
- There is a high risk of development of chronic kidney disease in patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure.
- Efficient medication self-management, blood pressure control and lifestyle modification will slow down or prevent development of chronic kidney disorder in patients with high blood pressure
Variables
To answer research questions, it is possible to identify a number of variables. There will be dependent and independent variables. Since the research is aimed at identifying the impact on the two diseases, major dependent variables will be blood pressure and the rate of the impairment of renal function in patients with hypertension.
As far as independent variables are concerned, these will be age, gender, lifestyle and medication treatment strategies. As has been mentioned above, the purpose of the research is to identify risk factors associated with development of renal disease in patients suffering from high blood pressure. Therefore, age should be one of variables. It is clear that older people are at higher risk of development of the disorders. It is necessary to add that the rising rate of people suffering from the two disorders is associated with population aging (Buffet & Ricchetti, 2012). In the present research, special attention will be paid to age.
Another possible factor affecting development of the disorder can be gender. There is no sufficient evidence that gender is an insignificant factor when it comes to development of renal disease in people with hypertension. Hence, it is essential to identify the link between gender and development and/or course of the diseases (if any).
Clearly, lifestyles will be another important variable to measure as numerous research suggest that certain lifestyle positively affects people’s health. However, it is unclear whether shaping the lifestyle can slow down development of renal disease in patients with hypertension. Therefore, it is essential to trace the changes (if any) in health conditions (blood pressure and the rate of renal function impairment) while shaping patients’ lifestyles.
Finally, it is crucial to measure benefits (if any) of medication self-management in patients. The patients should have particular medication treatment and they have to provide certain reports. This will ensure proper monitoring of the treatment as well as benefits of self-management.
Reference List
Buffet, L., & Ricchetti, C. (2012). Chronic kidney disease and hypertension. US Pharmacist. Web.
Jones, L.M. (2014). Reducing disparities in hypertension among African American women through understanding information seeking and information use (Doctoral thesis, The University of Michigan). Web.
Kauric-Klein, Z. (2012a). Blood pressure knowledge in hypertensive hemodialysis patients. The CANNT Journal, 22(4), 18-25.
Kauric-Klein, Z. (2012b). Improving blood pressure control in end stage renal disease through a supportive educative nursing intervention. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 39(3), 217-228.