Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and risk factors in North-Central Nigeria: a population-based survey.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing challenge in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. There is insufficient population-based data on CKD in Nigeria that is required to estimate its true burden, and to design prevention and management strategies. The study aims to determine the prevalence of CKD and its risk factors in Nigeria. METHODS: We studied 8 urban communities in Kwara State, North-Central zone of Nigeria. Blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, urinalysis, weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference were obtained. Albuminuria and kidney length were measured by ultrasound while estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was derived from serum creatinine, using chronic disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. Associations of risk factors with CKD were determined by multivariate logistic regression and expressed as adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: One thousand three hundred and fifty-three adults ≥18 years (44% males) with mean age of 44.3 ± 14.4 years, were screened. Mean kidney lengths were: right, 93.5 ± 7.0 cm and left, 93.4 ± 7.5 cm. The age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension was 24%; diabetes 4%; obesity 8.7%; albuminuria of > 30 mg/L 7%; and dipstick proteinuria 13%. The age-adjusted prevalence of CKD by estimated GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 and/or Proteinuria was 12%. Diabetes (aOR 6.41, 95%CI = 3.50-11.73, P = 0.001), obesity (aOR 1.50, 95%CI = 1.10-2.05, P = 0.011), proteinuria (aOR 2.07, 95%CI = 1.05-4.08, P = 0.035); female sex (aOR 1.67, 95%CI = 1.47-1.89, P = 0.001); and age (aOR 1.89, 95%CI = 1.13-3.17, P = 0.015) were the identified predictors of CKD. CONCLUSIONS: CKD and its risk factors are prevalent among middle-aged urban populations in North-Central Nigeria. It is common among women, fueled by diabetes, ageing, obesity, and albuminuria. These data add to existing regional studies of burden of CKD that may serve as template for a national prevention framework for CKD in Nigeria. One of the limitations of the study is that the participants were voluntary community dwellers and as such not representative for the community. The sample may thus have been subjected to selection bias possibly resulting in overestimation of CKD risk factors.

Out of Africa: Complete and partial remissions as a combined outcome in patients with idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis in Cape Town.

AIM: Remission outcomes among patients with idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis is unknown in Africa. We sought to determine remission outcomes in a cohort of South African adult patients with IMGN. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patients with biopsy-proven IMGN over a 10 year period. Secondary causes of MN were excluded. Demographic, clinical, biochemical and histological records were retrieved for analysis. The trends in biochemical parameters from baseline were determined. The primary outcome was the attainment of a complete or partial remission (CR / PR) at the last follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients met the criteria for inclusion and 43 had subsequent follow-up care with a median duration of follow-up of 23.0 (13.0-48.0) months. Sixteen patients (37.2%) were treated with immunosuppression (corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide) and 81.4% received anti-proteinuric agents. There were no significant differences in demographic and clinical features of patients categorized by immunosuppression (ISP) use. Changes in level of proteinuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were also not significantly different between the two groups. Eighteen patients (41.9%) reached CR or PR at the last visit. The median times-to-remission of patients according to ISP status were similar at 48.6 and 48.7 months respectively (P = 0.104) while the proportions of patients not reaching CR/PR at 12 and 24 months were 94.6% and 80.8% respectively. Gender and race did not predict remission status (P > 0.05). Predictors of CR/PR at last visit were eGFR [OR 1.01 (95%CI: 1.00 - 1.02); P = 0.041], and systolic BP (OR 0.97 [95%CI: 0.95 - 0.99); P = 0.036]. CONCLUSION: Remission outcomes in this African IMGN cohort are delayed and poor.

Usefulness of renal length and volume by ultrasound in determining severity of chronic kidney disease.

To determine the correlation of renal ultrasonic parameters and degree of kidney function among chronic kidney disease patients seen at the Nephrology unit of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) Ilorin, we studied 322 patients. The results were analyzed with specific reference to socio-demography and correlating renal length and volume with estimated glomerular filtration rate. The male to female ratio was 2:1, with an age range from 20 to 80 years and mean age of 45.06 (±13.0) years. The serum creatinine levels ranged from 201 to 1205 µmol/L, with a mean of 388 ± 168 µmol/L, while the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ranged from 3.77 to 44.32 mL/min, with a mean of 18.2 ± 7.19 mL/min. The right and left renal lengths ranged from 6.9 to 13.0 cm, with a mean of 9.11 ± 1.06, and 6.5-13.4 cm, with a mean of 9.23 ± 1.07 cm, respectively. The mean volumes of the right and left kidneys were 98.6 ± 41.9 cm 3 and 105 ± 46.2 cm 3 , respectively. The Pearson correlation of the right and left kidneys length to eGFR were -0.197 and -0.137 respectively, while that of the right and left kidney volume to eGFR were -0.122 and -0.043, respectively. Our study showed that there is a positive correlation between ultrasonic renal measurements and degree of kidney function.

Rationale and design of the Newer Versus Older Antihypertensive Agents in African Hypertensive Patients (NOAAH) trial.

BACKGROUND: Sub-Saharan Africa experiences an epidemic surge in hypertension. Studies in African Americans led to the recommendation to initiate antihypertensive treatment in Blacks with a diuretic or a low-dose fixed combination including a diuretic. We mounted the Newer versus Older Antihypertensive Agents in African Hypertensive Patients (NOAAH) trial to compare in native African patients a fixed combination of newer drugs, not involving a diuretic, with a combination of older drugs including a diuretic. METHODS: Patients aged 30-69 years with uncomplicated hypertension (140-179/90-109 mmHg) and two or fewer associated risk factors are eligible. After a 4-week run-in period off treatment, 180 patients will be randomized to once daily bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide 5/6.25 mg or amlodipine/valsartan 5/160 mg. To attain and maintain blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg during 6 months of follow-up, the doses of bisoprolol and amlodipine in the combination tablets will be increased to 10 mg/day with the possible addition of α-methyldopa or hydralazine. NOAAH is powered to demonstrate a 5-mmHg between-group difference in sitting systolic pressure with a two-sided p-value of 0.01 and 90% power. NOAAH is investigator-led and complies with the Helsinki declaration. RESULTS: Six centers in four sub-Saharan countries started patient recruitment on September 1, 2010. On December 1, 195 patients were screened, 171 were enrolled, and 51 were randomized and followed up. The trial will be completed in the third quarter of 2011. CONCLUSIONS: NOAAH (NCT01030458) is the first randomized multicenter trial of antihypertensive medications in hypertensive patients born and living in sub-Saharan Africa.

Prevalence and pattern of cystic kidney diseases in Ilorin, Nigeria.

Cystic kidney disease is an important cause of chronic renal failure. Since the utilization of imaging techniques in the diagnosis of diseases has become widespread, cystic kidney disease is now being increasingly diagnosed. This study is designed to determine the prevalence and pattern of cystic kidney disease at the Nephrology Unit of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin. All consecutive adult patients seen in the Nephrology Unit of UITH during a ten-year period (January 1999-December 2008) were studied for the presence of cystic kidney disease. The results were analyzed with specific reference to age, gender, annual incidence, type of cystic disease, location of cyst, mode of presentation, complications and prognosis. A total of 67 out of 436 renal patients (15.4%) studied had cystic kidney disease. A progressive annual increase in the number of cases was noticed. The age-range was 20-83 years with a mean of 47.4 +/- 16.2 years and the peak incidence was in the third and sixth decades with male to female ratio of 1.3:1. The types of cystic kidney disease identified in the study were: 26 simple cysts (38.8%), 35 polycystic kidney disease (53.3%) and six multicystic kidney disease (8.9%). The most common mode of presentation was abdominal pain followed by hypertension, urinary tract infection, chronic renal failure and palpable abdominal mass, in decreasing order. Our study indicates that cystic kidney disease is not an uncommon problem among our renal patients and the incidence is on the increase. Although, routine screening of family members with cystic kidney disease still remains a contentious issue because the knowledge may evoke anxiety in terms of employment and insurance, screening of symptomatic cases or those that develop hypertension, hematuria and proteinuria is strongly recommended.

Pattern of urinary sediments and comparison with dipstick urinalysis in hypertensive Nigerians.

BACKGROUND: Urinary sediment examination and dipstick urinalysis are an integral part in evaluating hypertensive patients. This study aims to determine the prevalence of urinary sediment abnormalities and compare this result with dipstick urinalysis in hypertensive Nigerians. METHODS: 138 newly diagnosed, adult, hypertensive Nigerians were studied. They were compared with an age- and sex-matched non-hypertensive control group from the general population. The subjects' urine samples were analyzed by dipstick test and microscopy (bright field), enhanced by Sternheimer's stain. Significant sediments were defined as =3/hpf and dipstick proteinuria or hematuria as =1+. RESULTS: Mean age was 43.21±9.64 yrs and 43.19±9.55 yrs in patients and controls respectively with 76 (55%) males in the patients and 80 (58%) in controls. Microscopic hematuria (=3/hpf) was detected in 15.2% of the patients and 3.6% of the control group (p=0.0009).Other elements present in insignificant quantities in patients and controls, respectively, were: leukocytes (7.2%, 9.4%, p=0.513); hyaline casts (5.8%, 8%, p=0.476), granular casts (1.4%, 0%) and crystals (6.5%, 5.1%, p=0.606). Dipstick proteinuria with hematuria was found in 6.55% and proteinuria alone in 1.45% of cases, while the control group showed 2.2% and 1.45% of hematuria and proteinuria, respectively; 47.6% of hypertensive patients with urinary sediment hematuria were not detected by dipstick test. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertensive Nigerians showed a high prevalence of microscopic hematuria which may be suggestive of sub-clinical kidney damage at diagnosis. There is a high false-negative rate with dipstick urinalysis, underscoring the need for routine examination of urinary sediment in the assessment of hypertensive patients.

Hearing thresholds in sickle cell anemia patients: emerging new trends?

PURPOSE OF STUDY: Advances in medicine resulting in better understanding of sickle cell disease and general improvement of the well-being of the sufferers even in the developing countries have positively affected the dreadful outlook of this disease with resultant increase in the population of sickle cell disease patients reaching adulthood, and less severe complications. We therefore set out to evaluate the presence and severity of sensorineural hearing loss in sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients in the light of the overall improvement in the morbidity and mortality. METHODS: A prospective case control study of SCA patients attending our adult SCA clinic and control subjects from homozygous hemoglobin AA patients attending the staff clinic of the hospital for routine medical tests. Tympanometry and diagnostic audiometry were performed on each patient. MAIN FINDINGS: Forty-six SCA patients (21 males, 45.7%) aged 16-48 years with a mean age of 22.9 years +/- 6.45 and 42 controls (24 males, 57.1%) aged 15-39 years with a mean age of 23.7 years +/- 5.69 were included in this study. The average hearing thresholds of SCA patients were consistently higher than controls in all frequencies tested in both right and left ears. Of the 92 ears of SCA patients tested, 95.7% exhibited hearing thresholds within normal limits, and 4.3% had mild hearing loss. The controls had thresholds within normal limits. CONCLUSION: The incidence of significant sensorineural hearing loss in SCA seems to have reduced in line with the general improvement and survival of SCA patients. The hearing loss is worse in the right ear and has a female preponderance. We hope that more aggressive primary and secondary prevention and adequate treatment of sickle cell crisis would reduce if not eliminate the hearing loss found in SCA.