[Epidemiologic and clinical profile of patients at their first consultation with a nephrologist in Togo]. / Profil épidémioclinique des patients en primoconsultation néphrologique au Togo.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical and epidemiologic profile of the source population of the only nephrology department in Togo, to guide the development of prevention. METHODS: Prospective and descriptive cross-sectional study of all patients seen for the first time during the year 2012 in the department of nephrology and hemodialysis of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital in Lomé. We analyzed the following data: medical specialty of the referring medical professional, the reason for consultation (RFC), demographic information, and the initial assessment. RESULTS: In 2012, 198 new patients were seen as outpatients in nephrology; their mean age was 51 ± 18 years (16-82 years), and the sex ratio M/F 1.5. They were referred by a general practitioner in 97 cases (49%), a medical assistant in 19 (9.6%), a cardiologist in 23 (11.6%), and a nurse in 12 (6.1%); 7 (3.5%) came on their own initiative. The RFC was kidney failure for 145 patients (73.2%), nephrotic syndrome for 10 (5%), hypertension for 11 (5.6%), and polycystic kidney disease for 6 (3%). Mean serum creatinine at consultation was 90 mg/L (15-398 mg/L). Initial GFR was less than 15 mL/min for 130 patients (89.7%), between 15 and 30 mL/min for 9 (6.2%), and between 30 and 60 mL/min for 6 (4.1%). CONCLUSION: Advanced-stage kidney failure is the main reason for nephrology consultations in Togo.

[Medication adherence of 65 patients in hemodialysis in Togo]. / Observance médicamenteuse chez des hémodialysés au Togo. Étude monocentrique chez soixante-cinq sujets.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess adherence in people on hemodialysis and determine the factors of poor adherence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study took place throughout the month of September, 2012, in the hemodialysis center of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital, the only such center in Togo. RESULTS: The study included 65 patients, with a mean age of 49.5 years (range: 22 to 77 years), more often men (sex ratio: 1.82) and married (74 %). More than half (58%) had completed secondary education, while 73% belonged to the least advantaged socioeconomic class; 61 (94%) had health insurance, and 57% had been on dialysis for 1 to 4 years. The compliance rate was 11%. The main factors associated with good adherence were marital status (p = 0.0339) and the patient's general health status (p = 0.001). Treatment fatigue (p = 0.0347), forgetfulness (p = 0.0001), dosage forms and drug characteristics (p = 0.0198) were all factors of noncompliance. Therapeutic non-compliance was proportional to the number of drugs prescribed (p = 0.4263). CONCLUSION: Adherence in hemodialysis patients in Togo is very poor.