Chronic kidney disease of unknown origin in Northern Yobe, Nigeria: Experience from a regional tertiary hospital in northeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease in the absence of traditional CKD risk factors has been found to contribute to the burden of kidney disease in communities all over the world. This hospital-based study is aimed at determining the prevalence of CKDu among CKD patients admitted into the renal unit of Federal Medical Centre, Nguru. Methods: Patients consisted of adults sequentially admitted into the renal unit of the medical ward of Federal Medical Centre Nguru. Clinical parameters such as age, sex, presence of risk factors for kidney disease were obtained from each patient. Laboratory parameters such as PCV, electrolytes, urea and creatinine, phosphate, calcium were also obtained. Glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula. Results: Two hundred and seventy-eight patients were admitted during the study period. Their ages ranged from 18 to 75 years with a mean±SD of 44.64±16.09 years. There were 138 (49.5%) males and 140 (50.5%) females; male:female ratio 1:1.02. Out of the study population, 83.6% were married. Mean blood pressures were 120.00±14.14 mmHg and 75.25±9.91 mmHg for systolic and diastolic respectively. Mean PCV was 20.25±7.05%, urea and creatinine were 27.46±8.95mmol/l and 1243.25±651.46μmol/l. Mean GFR was 7.44±9.80 ml/minute/1.73m² with 90.3% of patients presenting in stage 5. The prevalence of CKDu amongst them was 20.5%. Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence of CKDu is high in Northern districts of Yobe State, North Eastern Nigeria. Further studies will be required to define environmental or cultural factors that contribute to the high prevalence in this region.