Prevalence and determinants of chronic kidney disease in urban adults' populations of northern Cameroon.

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health problem with growing prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa.

AIM: Assess the prevalence and determinants of CKD in Garoua and Figuil cities of the North region of Cameroon.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to June 2018 in the two cities, using a multi-level cluster sampling. All adults with low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (< 60 ml/min/1.73 m2) by Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation and/or albuminuria (≥ 30 mg/g) were reviewed three months later. Logistic regression models (accounting for the sampling strategy) were used to investigate the predictors of the outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 433 participants were included, with a mean age (95%CI) of 45.0 (43.4-46.6) years, 212 (48.7%) men, 294 (67.9%) from Garoua and 218 (45.6%) with no formal education. Risk factors for chronic nephropathy were highly prevalent including longstanding use of street medications (52.8%), herbal medicines (50.2%) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (50%), alcohol consumption (34.4%), hypertension (33.9%), overweight/obesity (33.6%), hyperuricemia (16.8%), smoking (11.3%) and hyperglycemia (6.5%). The prevalence of CKD was 11.7% overall, 10.7% in Garoua and 13% in Figuil participants. Equivalents figures for CKD G3-5 and albuminuria were 2.8%, 2.0% and 4.5%; and 9.1%, 9.3% and 8.5%, respectively. History of diabetes, increase systolic blood pressure, hyperglycemia and hyperuricemia were predictors of CKD.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of CKD is as high in these northern cities as previously reported in southern cities of Cameroon, driven mostly by known modifiable risk factors of chronic nephropathy.