Characteristics of type 2 diabetics presenting with end stage renal disease at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is an increasingly common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Nigeria. We describe the clinical characteristics of Nigerian diabetics presenting with ESRD, as data obtained would provide baseline information for management policy formulation.

METHODS

Twenty-one diabetics (16 males and 5 females) with ESRD seen in the Nephrology Unit of the Jos University Teaching Hospital were studied. Both clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 55.5+/-9.8 years with a mean duration of diabetes being 7.7+/-8.2 years. Retinopathy, hypertension and peripheral vascular disease were present in 75.5%, 71.4% and 57.1% of the patients respectively. The mean fasting blood glucose was 6.0+/-2.7 mmol/L. Hypertriglyceridemia was the most common dyslipidemia seen in 38.1% of the patients, followed by reduced high- density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in 33.3% and hypercholesterolemia in 23.8%. Common electrocardiographic abnormalities included myocardial ischemia, left atrial hypertrophy and left ventricular hypertrophy.

CONCLUSION

The care of these patients should take into consideration the control of hypertension and dyslipidemia as cardiovascular event is common in them.