Resumen

PEDROZO, María Esther et al. Determination of urine sodium excretion as a marker of estimated salt intake in employees of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, Paraguay. Mem. Inst. Investig. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2021, vol.19, n.3, pp.61-72. ISSN 1812-9528.  https://doi.org/10.18004/mem.iics/1812-9528/2021.019.03.61.

In Latin America, 13% of all deaths and 5.1% of disability-adjusted life years are due to hypertension. An excess of sodium in the diet may increase the risk of hypertension by 30%. The objective was to determine the 24-hour urine sodium concentration to estimate salt intake in employees of the Paraguayan Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (MSPBS). Cross-sectional study in 25-64 years-old employees (n=397) of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare in Asuncion-Paraguay in 2014. Socio-demographic and -economic information as well as risk factors of cardiovascular diseases were assessed using a questionnaire validated and developed by the WHO. Sodium and potassium levels in the 24-hour urine were measured using a standardized protocol. The median salt intake per day was 13.7 g. The median of 24-hour urine sodium excretion was 239 mEq, exceeding the recommended sodium excretion value by 20%. Men had a higher 24-hour urine sodium excretion than women in both the 25-44 years-old group (251 mEq/24 hours vs. 218 mEq/24 hours) and the 45-64 years-old segment of the study participants (266 mEq/24 hours vs. 233 mEq/24 hours). In conclusion, salt intake was remarkably higher than recommended by WHO (<5g/d).

Palabras clave : Sodium intake; hypertension; urine sodium; risk factors; Paraguay.

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