Pattern of Glomerular Diseases in Gombe, Northeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Glomerular diseases contribute significantly to the burden of chronic kidney disease and end stage kidney disease in Nigeria. Most patients present with end stage kidney disease when the primary diagnosis could not be made coupled with the fact that there is also very low rate of kidney biopsies in our hospitals. In most developed countries, IgA nephropathy is the most frequent histological entity diagnosed. Studies in the United States have found that focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is the leading glomerular disease among African American population. Genetic factors such as having the APOL1 gene have been implicated in the preponderance of FSGS among Africans. Improved kidney biopsy will add to the understanding of the epidemiology of chronic kidney disease in Africa.
Materials and Methods: The study is a cross sectional study carried out at the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe between October 2016 and May 2017 on consenting adults who had indication for kidney biopsy. All patients were negative for hepatitis B, C and HIV. Kidney biopsyspecimen were stained and examined with light microscopy.
Results: Out of the ten (10) patients biopsied, 70% (7) were male, their ages ranged from 19 to 54 years with a mean of 34.25±12.45 years. Nephrotic syndrome was the commonest indication for renal biopsy (60%). Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was seen in 50% of patients.
Conclusion: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is the commonest glomerular disease in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe.