Stroke and its correlates among patients on maintenance hemodialysis in Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: End-stage kidney disease is an independent risk factor for stroke; however, the relationship between hemodialysis and stroke in Sub-Saharan Africa has not been established. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence, associated factors, and clinical outcome of stroke among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in Cameroon. METHODS: A hospital-based retrospective study using data from the medical files of 1060 patients on maintenance hemodialysis (given twice a week) was conducted. Patients with stroke prior to starting hemodialysis were excluded. Socio-demographic data, comorbidities, dialysis parameters, and data concerning the diagnosis of stroke were retrieved and analyzed. RESULTS: The dialysis vintage (duration of time on dialysis) averaged 11.4 ± 9.2 months. The incidence of stroke was 6.1 events per 1000 patient-years, with hemorrhagic stroke being most common (66%). Eighty percent of strokes occurred before the 30th month of dialysis. Sixty percent of strokes occurred within 24 h of a dialysis session. Predictive factors for stroke were diabetes mellitus (p = 0.026), heart failure (p = 0.045), poor dialysis compliance (p = 0.001), and short vintage (p = 0.001). The overall mortality rate was 52% and was higher for hemorrhagic stroke (60%). The leading causes of death were multiple organ failure and sepsis. CONCLUSION: The incidence of stroke is high among hemodialysis patients in Cameroon and hemorrhagic stroke is the commonest type. Diabetes and heart failure triple the risk of stroke. Mortality in patients who suffered a stroke was high.

Acquired cystic kidney disease in patients on maintenance hemodialysis, prevalence and associated factors: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Acquired Cystic Kidney Disease (ACKD) is a known complication in patients on maintenance hemodialysis, and it is associated with a high risk of malignant transformation. There is a paucity of data on ACKD in sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with acquired cystic kidney disease in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Methods: patients on maintenance hemodialysis were screened for ACKD. Patients with hereditary cystic kidney disease were excluded. Renal ultrasounds were performed by two radiologists. ACKD was defined as 3 or more bilateral renal cysts in a small or normal size kidney. Associated factors were determined using logistic regression. A p-value <0.05 was significant. Results: a total of 158 participants were enrolled and 61.4% (97) were male. Their mean (SD) age was 45.8 (14.9) years. The median dialysis vintage was 33.5 [10.7-63.2] months. The mean (SD) length of the kidneys was 85.1 (17.5) mm on the left and 81.2 (17.1) mm on the right. The prevalence of ACKD was 31.6% (n=50). Septated cysts (4), calcification of the wall of the cysts (2), irregular thick calcified wall (1), septated cysts with calcification (1) and hemorrhagic cyst (1) cysts were also observed. Dialysis vintage > 36 months (OR 7.1, 95% CI: 3.3 - 15.5) and male sex (OR 2.6, 95% CI: 1.2-5.6) were independently associated with ACKD. Conclusion: the prevalence of ACKD is high in a population of Cameroonians on maintenance. This result calls for the implementation of strategies to screen for the condition and its complications.

[Burnout syndrome in hemodialysis health workers in Cameroon: Prevalence and associated factors]. / Prévalence et facteurs associés au syndrome d'épuisement professionnel chez le personnel de santé des centres d'hémodialyse au Cameroun.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis medical staffs usually work in a stressful environment. In low resource countries, professional conditions are worse and can lead to burnout syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of burnout syndrome and its associated factors in hemodialysis health care workers in Cameroon. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional study in all hemodialysis centers from Cameroon between January to August 2017. The Maslach Burnout Inventory was used for assessment of burnout level. Burnout syndrome was defined as the presence of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization or decreased professional achievement. RESULTS: A total of 92 health workers (women 60%; n=55) among 105 identified were recorded. The median age was 42 years. Most of the workers were nurses (78.5%) and 8.5% were nephrologists. Burnout syndrome was found in 76 (82.6%) workers, 35 (38%) had emotional exhaustion, 44 (48%) depersonalization and 57 (62%) decreased professional achievements. Burnout was significantly more prevalent in overcrowded centers (100% vs. 47%; P<0.001). Hemodialysis position<5 years was less prevalent in participants with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Desire to change position (OR 19.61 [2.074-185.4]; P=0,009) was associated with burnout syndrome. CONCLUSION: Burnout syndrome is very common among Cameroonian hemodialysis medical staff. Improvement of work conditions, limiting posting in hemodialysis to less than 5 years and change of position when requested may be potential preventive measures.

Prescription of pharmacotherapy and blood pressure control among hypertensive outpatients in two semi-urban hospitals in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: several international guidelines are available on drug treatment for hypertension, but the control of hypertension remains very poor in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We investigated the commonly prescribed antihypertensive drugs and their association with blood pressure (BP) control in adult Cameroonians. METHODS: we consecutively recruited hypertensive outpatients attending the Buea and Limbe Regional Hospitals (southwest region of Cameroon). Controlled BP was defined as BP < 140/90mmHg in hypertensive patients aged 60 years or younger, diabetics or patients with chronic kidney disease or a BP < 150/90mmHg in non-diabetic hypertensive patients older than 60 years of age (JNC8). RESULTS: of the 408 participants included (mean age 61.1 years), 67% were female. The median duration of hypertension was 6 years and the median duration of the current treatment was 22 weeks. Commonly prescribed antihypertensives were calcium channel blockers (CCB, 35.1%), thiazide/thiazide-like diuretics (TD/TLD, 26.1%) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI, 19.5%). The median monthly cost of antihypertensive was 10279.6 CFA (approximately equal to US$ 172). Seventy percent (70%) of participants were receiving at least 2 drugs, with ACEI+TD/TLD, CCB+TD/TLD, and ACEI+CCB+TD/TLD being the most frequent combination. The rate of BP control was 52% overall, and 60% in participants on monotherapy. CONCLUSION: CCBs were the most prescribed single antihypertensive drugs in this setting while ACEI+TD/TLD was the most common combination. About half of patients were at target BP control levels Improving availability and affordability of these medications may improve hypertension management and control.

Brachiocephalic A-V fistula through the median cubital vein; A reliable option to failure of forearm fistulas. A case report from CHU Yaoundé.

INTRODUCTION: Renal replacement therapy in end-stage kidney disease relies on dialysis in low-income countries. This maintenance treatment needs a reliable vascular access and is done through central venous catheter or creation of A-V fistulas. Several types of A-V fistulas can be done but due to some individual conditions, those possibilities may be exhausted rapidly. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31 year old female was diagnosed with an end stage renal disease for which she was prescribed maintenance dialysis. She first denied her condition and went to traditional healer. After some months her clinical state worsened and she was dialyse with catheter and refer to us for A-V fistula construction. The first two attempts on the forearm failed and we found small radial artery both proximally and distally on the left forearm. We finally did a left brachiocephalic fistula with initial retrograde flow on the median cubital vein. DISCUSSION: Despite arm base fistula may be theoretically easy to build because of bigger size vessels, brachiobasilic fistula may be less effective due to difficult venipuncture. Brachiocephalic fistula through median cubital vein may be more effective option with no further procedure needed. CONCLUSION: Brachiocephalic fistula should be considered as option in vascular access especially when a reliable option is needed after previous attempt failure.

[Falls among hemodialysis patients: Incidence and risk factors]. / Chutes chez l'hémodialysé : incidence et facteurs de risque.

Falls and mineral and bones disorders are both implicated in the occurrence of pathological fractures in patients undergoing chronic dialysis. However, data on falls among this population are rare. We carried out a prospective study during four weeks and included 70 patients on chronic hemodialysis with the main objectives being to evaluate the incidence of falls and factors related to it. At the end of the four weeks, 16 patients (22.86%) fell at least once, with a total of 17 falls during 4 weeks, giving an incidence of 3.2 falls per patient/year. The mean age was 40 ± 16 years. Five patients (31.2%) had a past history of pathological fractures. Ten patients (62.5%) presented intra- and post-dialysis hypotension, six (37.5%) was diagnosed of gait disorders and two (12.5%) had sensory deficit of the lower limbs. Six patients (37.5%) presented frailty. Hypotension (P=0.004), frailty (P=0.047) and sensory deficit (P=0.049) were significantly associated with the occurrence of falls. The incidence of falls is relatively high in our hemodialysis patients and real risk factors exist. Hence, it is important to implement programs for falls prevention to reduce their incidence and impact.