Methods: A total of 389 patients with essential hypertension were enrolled and stratified according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ or <90 mL/min/1.73 m2 and the presence of subclinical renal damage, defined by elevated urinary albumin excretion (AER) and/or reduced eGFR. The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is essential hypertension.