Characterization of patients with chronic kidney disease admitted at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in the Gambia: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: chronic renal failure is a devastating problem for patients and their families. This situation is worse in most developing countries where ESRD constitutes a death sentence as renal replacement therapy is often unavailable or unaffordable. This study aimed to determine the socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors for progression CKD. Settings and Design: a descriptive study was conducted among patients admitted in the haemodialysis and medical wards from September to November 2019. Methods: the sample included all the patients with CKD. A structured questionnaire and medical record books were used to collect relevant information. The primary causes of renal disease were assessed based on history, physical examination, and laboratory investigations. Data obtained were analysed with SPSS v 22.0. The data were presented as frequencies and proportions. Chi-square test or Fisher´s exact test were used to examine the differences in proportions at 95% CI. Results: a total of 52 patients were included in the study, of which 23 were males with a mean age of 37.8 years. About 11.5% were smokers, 17.3% had a family history of CKD and 82% had history of anaemia. Also, 36.3% were users of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and 46.2% self-reported used of traditional herbs. The most frequent cause of CKD was hypertension 71% followed by DM 13.5%. Conclusion: CKD was more prevalent in female and the younger population with hypertension being he commonest cause. Awareness should be created to minimize the late presentation of the disease seen in almost all the participants of the study.