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

Abstract

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 nunol/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.