Cardiovascular risk factors among patients with chronic kidney disease attending a tertiary hospital in Uganda

ABSTRACT

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease; which is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD. Local data about cardiovascular risk factors among CKD patients is generally scanty. Objective: To determine the prevalence of the common cardiovascular risk factors among patients with CKD attending the nephrology out-patient clinic in Mulago national referral hospital in Uganda. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 217 patients with a mean age of 43 years were recruited over a period of nine months. Data on demographic characteristics; risk factors for cardiovascular disease; complete blood count; renal function tests/electrolytes; and lipid profiles were collected using a standardised questionnaire. Results: One hundred and eleven (51.2%) of the participants were male. Hypertension was reported in 90% of participants while cigarette smoking was present in 11.5%. Twenty-two participants (10.2%) were obese and 16.1% were diabetic. A total of 71.9% had a haemoglobin concentration 11 g/dl; with the prevalence of anaemia increasing with advancing renal failure (p 0.001); 44.7% were hypocalcaemic and 39.2% had hyperphosphataemia. The prevalence of abnormal calcium and phosphate levels was found to increase with declining renal function (p