Chronic kidney disease epidemiology in northern Senegal: a cross-sectional study.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an emerging worldwide epidemic but few data are available in African populations. This study assessed prevalence of CKD in adults living Saint-Louis, northern Senegal. In a population-based survey between January and May 2012, 1037 adults living in Saint-Louis were assessed. Sociodemographical, clinical, and biological data were collected during household visits. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated using the 4-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Factors associated with CKD were identified by multivariate regression analysis. The mean age of participants was 47.9 +/- 16.9 years. The majority of the participants lived in urban areas (55.3%) and had school education (65.6%). The overall prevalence rates of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity were 39.1%, 12.7%, and 23.4% respectively. Prevalence of CKD was 4.9% (95% confidence interval, 3.5% to 6.2%) and 0.9% had an estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Before the study, 23% of the patients were aware of their disease. In multivariable logistic analysis, presence of CKD was significantly associated with hypertension and age. This study shows that CKD is frequent in adult population of Northern Senegal. A kidney health program is urgently needed to reduce the disease burden in both urban and rural areas.

Prevalence of chronic cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in Senegalese workers: a cross-sectional study, 2010.

INTRODUCTION: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are a major public health threat, particularly in developing countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, the scarcity of reliable data on NCDs in the general population makes it difficult to develop efficient prevention strategies. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence of 4 cardiometabolic NCDs among 402 private-sector workers in Dakar, Senegal: high blood pressure (HBP), diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: We collected demographic, clinical, and biological data for each worker during routine occupational health visits between September 1 and November 30, 2010. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with NCDs. RESULTS: Among the 402 study participants, 24.1% had HBP, 9.7% had diabetes, 16.7% were obese, and 22.4% had CKD. About half of participants (48.5%) were not aware of their diseases before the screening. Univariate analysis showed that age was significantly associated with blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and renal function. After adjusting for age and sex, systolic blood pressure was correlated with renal function, and physical inactivity was significantly associated with obesity. CONCLUSION: Despite its small sample size, our study provides a perspective on the extent of cardiometabolic NCDs in Senegalese workers. Our study also suggests that targeted screening activities focusing on socio-professional groups may be helpful in the absence of national integrated prevention programs.

Complexation equilibria and spectrophotometric determination of thorium(IV) with Lawsone.

The complex equilibria of Th4+ with Lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, LAS) were studied spectrophotometrically in 40% (v/v) ethanol water at 25 degrees C and an ionic strength of 0.1 M (NaClO4). The absorbance graphs were analysed to demonstrate and characterize the complex forming equilibria. A simple, rapid, selective and sensitive method for the spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of thorium(IV) is developed. The complex formed at pH 2.1-3.6 (epsilon = 0.27 x 10(4) cm2 mol-1, at lambda = 440 nm) allows the determination of 5.8-32 micrograms/ml thorium. The effect of interferences was studied.