Characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.

Background: Data regarding the features and outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Africa are increasingly available. Objectives: To describe socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 86 adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19 between March and November 2020. Characteristics were described in survivors and non-survivors. Results: Mean age was 60.9±16.1 years, 53(61.6%) were male. Co-morbidities were found in 77(89.5%) patients. On severity, 6(7%) were mild, 23(26.7%) moderate, 51(59.3%) severe and 6(7%) critical. Oxygen saturation and respiratory rate were 71±22% and 38±11/minute in non-survivors and 90±7% and 31±7/minute in survivors respectively (p<0.001, p<0.001)). Overall mortality was 47.7% with no death among patients with mild disease and deaths in all patients with critical disease. Duration of hospitalization was 2.0(1.0-4.5) days in those who died and 12(7.0-15.0) days in those who survived (p<0.001). Of the 42 patients that received dexamethasone, 11(26.2%) died, while 31(73.8%) survived (p=<0.001). Conclusion: Most of the patients had co-morbidities and there was high mortality in patients with severe and critical COVID-19. Mean oxygen saturation was low and respiratory rate high overall. Factors associated with mortality included: Significantly greater hypoxia and tachypnea, less dexamethasone use and shorter hospitalization.

Task shifting roles, interventions and outcomes for kidney and cardiovascular health service delivery among African populations: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Human resources for health (HRH) shortages are a major limitation to equitable access to healthcare. African countries have the most severe shortage of HRH in the world despite rising communicable and non-communicable disease (NCD) burden. Task shifting provides an opportunity to fill the gaps in HRH shortage in Africa. The aim of this scoping review is to evaluate task shifting roles, interventions and outcomes for addressing kidney and cardiovascular (CV) health problems in African populations. METHODS: We conducted this scoping review to answer the question: "what are the roles, interventions and outcomes of task shifting strategies for CV and kidney health in Africa?" Eligible studies were selected after searching MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL, ISI Web of Science, and Africa journal online (AJOL). We analyzed the data descriptively. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies, conducted in 10 African countries (South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, and Uganda) were eligible for inclusion. There were few randomized controlled trials (n = 6; 18.2%), and tasks were mostly shifted for hypertension (n = 27; 81.8%) than for diabetes (n = 16; 48.5%). More tasks were shifted to nurses (n = 19; 57.6%) than pharmacists (n = 6; 18.2%) or community health workers (n = 5; 15.2%). Across all studies, the most common role played by HRH in task shifting was for treatment and adherence (n = 28; 84.9%) followed by screening and detection (n = 24; 72.7%), education and counselling (n = 24; 72.7%), and triage (n = 13; 39.4%). Improved blood pressure levels were reported in 78.6%, 66.7%, and 80.0% for hypertension-related task shifting roles to nurses, pharmacists, and CHWs, respectively. Improved glycaemic indices were reported as 66.7%, 50.0%, and 66.7% for diabetes-related task shifting roles to nurses, pharmacists, and CHWs, respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite the numerus HRH challenges that are present in Africa for CV and kidney health, this study suggests that task shifting initiatives can improve process of care measures (access and efficiency) as well as identification, awareness and treatment of CV and kidney disease in the region. The impact of task shifting on long-term outcomes of kidney and CV diseases and the sustainability of NCD programs based on task shifting remains to be determined.

Rationale and Design of the Diet, CKD, and Apolipoprotein L1 Study in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries.

Introduction: Diet, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) (DCA) Study is examining the role of dietary factors in CKD progression and APOL1 nephropathy. We describe enrollment and retention efforts and highlight facilitators and barriers to enrollment and operational challenges, as well as accommodations made in the study protocol. Methods: The DCA study is enrolling participants in 7 centers in West Africa. Participants who consented were invited to complete dietary recalls and 24-hour urine collections in year 1. We conducted focus groups and semistructured interviews among study personnel to identify facilitators and barriers to enrollment as well as retention and operational challenges in the execution of the study protocol. We analyzed emerging themes using content analyses. Results: A total of 712 participants were enrolled in 18 months with 1256 24-hour urine and 1260 dietary recalls. Barriers to enrollment were the following: (i) a lack of understanding of research, (ii) the burden of research visits, and (iii) incorporating cultural and traditional nuances when designing research protocols. Factors facilitating enrollment were the following: (i) designing convenient research visits, (ii) building rapport and increased communication between the research team and participants, and (iii) cultural sensitivity - adapting research protocols for the populations involved. Offering home visits, providing free dietary counseling, reducing the volume of study blood collection, and reducing the frequency of visits were some changes made in the study protocol that increased participant satisfaction. Conclusion: Adopting a participant-centered approach with accommodations in the protocol for cultural adaptability and incorporating participant feedback is vital for carrying out research in low-income and middle-income regions.

Cardiovascular Risk Factor Burden and Association With CKD in Ghana and Nigeria.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, the burden of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with CKD in Africa is not well characterized. We determined the prevalence of selected cardiovascular risk factors, and association with CKD in the Human Heredity for Health in Africa Kidney Disease Research Network study. Methods: We recruited patients with and without CKD in Ghana and Nigeria. CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 and/or albuminuria as albumin-to-creatinine ratio <3.0 mg/mmol (<30 mg/g) for ≥3 months. We assessed self-reported (physician-diagnosis and/or use of medication) hypertension, diabetes, and elevated cholesterol; and self-reported smoking as cardiovascular risk factors. Association between the risk factors and CKD was determined by multivariate logistic regression. Results: We enrolled 8396 participants (cases with CKD, 3956), with 56% females. The mean age (45.5 ± 15.1 years) did not differ between patients and control group. The prevalence of hypertension (59%), diabetes (20%), and elevated cholesterol (9.9%), was higher in CKD patients than in the control participants (P < 0.001). Prevalence of risk factors was higher in Ghana than in Nigeria. Hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.69 [1.43-2.01, P < 0.001]), elevated cholesterol (aOR = 2.0 [1.39-2.86, P < 0.001]), age >50 years, and body mass index (BMI) <18.5 kg/m2 were independently associated with CKD. The association of diabetes and smoking with CKD was modified by other risk factors. Conclusion: Cardiovascular risk factors are prevalent in middle-aged adult patients with CKD in Ghana and Nigeria, with higher proportions in Ghana than in Nigeria. Hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and underweight were independently associated with CKD.

Predictors of Taste Dysfunction and Its Severity Among Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often complain of taste dysfunction. The prevalent taste dysfunction among patients with CKD predisposes them to malnutrition, poor quality of life, and worsen disease prognoses. To appropriately treat the taste dysfunction in this group of patients, it's imperative that factors that predict taste dysfunction and its severity are identified for prompt treatment. AIM: To identify factors associated with taste dysfunction and its severity among patients with CKD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a hospital-based case-control study of adult patients with CKD at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. The control group was made up of age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers with no clinical and laboratory evidence of CKD. Relevant clinical and social data obtained include demographics, symptoms, and signs of taste dysfunction and its risk factors. The 4 basic taste modalities namely sweet, sour, bitter, and salt taste senses of the participants were tested with validated "taste strips." Factors that predict taste dysfunction were identified among the spectrum of the disease. RESULTS: There were 100 patients with CKD and 100 healthy controls, age ranges between 19 and 86 years (mean ± standard deviation [SD] = 46.3 ± 13.9 years) and 20 and 85 years (mean ± SD = 43.4 ± 14.9 years), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between cases and control gender distribution (P = .57). Hypogeusia was found in 27.0% of patients with CKD, while total taste function score of all the control was within normal range. Increasing duration of CKD was identified as a predictor of taste dysfunction among patients with CKD (odds ratio: 4.889, P = .038). The stages of CKD had no statistically significant relationship with the severity of taste dysfunction (P = .629). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of taste dysfunction among patients with CKD was high and this showed significant correlation with increasing duration of CKD; in contrast, the severity of CKD is not significant in the development of taste dysfunction.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF 23) and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) as markers of mineral bone disease among Nigerians with non-diabetic kidney disease.

Background: Excess cardiovascular burden in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been attributed to the occurrence of CKD-Mineral Bone Disease (CKD - MBD). This study aimed to determine the spectrum of CKD-MBD among Nigerians with CKD using Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF 23) and intact Parathyroid Hormone (iPTH). Methods: Cross sectional survey of 105 patients with non-diabetic CKD and 104 controls. Information obtained were demographics, aetiology of CKD, features of CKD-MBD. Serum iPTH and FGF 23 were assayed. Results: The mean ages were 48.7±15.3 vs 48.6±17.4 years while 54.7% and 45.2% were males for cases and controls, respectively. The mean plasma FGF 23 (392.8±35.3 vs 133.8±22.7 RU/mL and plasma iPTH (289±25.6 vs 118±10.8 ng/L, respectively. The frequency of elevated FGF 23 (45.7% vs 24.0%, p<0.01) and abnormal iPTH (53.3% vs 14.1%, p- 0.01) were higher in cases. The prevalence of MBD were (59.0% vs 14.4%, p<0.01) in cases and controls while dialysis status OR 2.94, 95% CI (1.2803-5.3645), and elevated FGF 23 OR, 1.87, 95% CI (1.1782-5.4291) were associated with CKD-MBD. Conclusion: The study demonstrated high prevalence of CKD-MBD among patients with non-diabetic CKD while FGF23 and iPTH were useful assays in the diagnosis of CKD-MBD among Nigerians with CKD.

Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease as a Marker of Hypertension Target Organ Damage in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is a major global cause of cardiovascular disease and death with rising worldwide prevalence, particularly in low-income countries. With low awareness, poor treatment, and low control of hypertension in Africans, there is an increased number of patients with target organ damage (TOD), especially chronic kidney disease (CKD), as a consequence of hypertension. The aim of our study is to assess the prevalence of CKD from studies in Africa reporting TOD related to hypertension. METHODS: We performed a search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and African Journals Online (AJOL) for studies reporting on CKD as TOD in patients with hypertension. The pooled estimate of CKD was then presented by subregions, age group, eGFR equations, and urban or rural location. RESULTS: We identified 1,334 articles from which 12 studies were included for quantitative analysis. The studies included 5297 participants from 6 countries (Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Africa). The pooled prevalence of CKD was 17.8% (95% CI 13.0-23.3%), and CKD was significantly more prevalent in West Africa (21.3% (95% CI: 16.1-27.0); p < 0.0001) and in studies conducted in urban settings (p < 0.001). CKD prevalence was not significantly different by type of GFR equation or age. CONCLUSION: This study reports a high prevalence of CKD related to hypertension with a higher prevalence in urban than rural areas. This emphasizes the role of hypertension in causing kidney damage, and the need for strategies to improve awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Africans. This study is registered with PROSPERO registration number CRD42018089263.

Acute kidney injury among paediatric emergency room admissions in a tertiary hospital in South West Nigeria: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data on paediatric acute kidney injury (AKI) in sub-Saharan Africa are limited and largely retrospective. We performed a prospective study of AKI among patients admitted through the emergency room. METHODS: Children admitted to the post-neonatal emergency room of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria between February 2016 and January 2017 were studied. AKI was defined by Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes serum creatinine criteria. AKI ascertainment relied on serum creatinine measurements carried out in routine care by post-admission Day 1. We compared in-hospital mortality by post-admission Day 7 for patients with and without AKI (no-AKI). RESULTS: Of the 1344 children admitted to the emergency room, 331 were included in the study. AKI occurred in 112 patients (33.8%) with a median age of 3.1 years [interquartile range (IQR) 0.9-9.4] and was Stage 3 in 50.5% of the cases. The no-AKI group had a median age of 1.8 (IQR 0.7-5.8) years. The underlying diagnoses in patients with AKI were sepsis (33.0%), malaria (12.5%) and primary renal disorders (13.4%). Twenty-four of the patients with AKI underwent dialysis: haemodialysis in 20 and peritoneal dialysis in 4. By Day 7 of admission, 7 of 98 (7.1%) patients in the AKI group had died compared with 5 of 175 (2.9%) patients in the no-AKI group [odds ratio 2.6 (95% confidence interval 0.8-8.5)]. Outcome data were not available for 58 (17.5%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: AKI is common among paediatric emergency room admissions in a tertiary care hospital in sub-Saharan Africa. It is associated with high mortality risk that may be worse in settings without dialysis.

Circadian blood pressure variation amongst people with chronic kidney diseases: A pilot study in Ibadan.

BACKGROUND: Circadian variation in blood pressure (BP) has been shown to determine cardiovascular events in people with chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Studies aimed at elucidating the relationship between diurnal variation in BP and cardiovascular disease have yielded conflicting results, and very few of these studies have been conducted on CKD patients in Sub-Saharan Africa, hence the need for this study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighty-five adult participants comprising 54 patients with CKD (36 males and 18 females) and 31 hypertensive patients (16 males and 15 females) free of CKD were recruited for 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring and cardiovascular risk factor assessment. RESULTS: Patients with CKD had a higher mean clinic systolic BP (159.8 ± 28.6 vs. 147.9 ± 19.0 mmHg, P = 0.049) and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (19.2 ± 18.6 vs. 106.2 ± 30.6, P < 0.0001) when compared with hypertensives free of CKD. The mean 24 h ambulatory SBP (135.9 ± 28.5 vs. 120.3 ± 11.8 mmHg, P = 0.007), diastolic BP (82.6 ± 18.1 vs. 74.8 ± 9.0 mmHg, P = 0.034) and mean arterial pressure (100.9 ± 21.2 vs. 90.6 ± 10.2 mmHg, P = 0.018) were higher amongst CKD patients. Compared with hypertensive without CKD, daytime hypertension (58.9% vs. 21.4, P = 0.001), nocturnal hypertension (80.4% vs. 50.0%, P = 0.004) and non-dippers (92.0% vs. 73.1%, P = 0.026) were commoner in people with CKD. White coat effect was more common amongst hypertensives without CKD (74.2% vs. 38.0%, P = 0.002). The mean left atrial diameter and left ventricular mass index were higher in CKD group. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the high prevalence of varied phenotypes in circadian rhythm amongst CKD patients. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring may be useful for early risk stratification of CKD patients. Large longitudinal study is needed to assess the prognostic implication of the findings.

A content analysis of outdoor non-alcoholic beverage advertisements in Ghana.

OBJECTIVES: This was a two-part descriptive study designed to (1) assess the marketing themes and sugar content of beverages promoted in outdoor advertisements (ads) within a portion of Accra, Ghana and (2) quantify the types of ads that appeared along the Accra-Cape Coast Highway. SETTING: A 4.7 km2 area of Accra, Ghana and a 151 km region along the highway represented the target areas for collecting photos of outdoor beverage ads. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Number and types of beverage ads, sugar content of beverage products featured in ads and marketing themes used in ads. DESIGN: Two researchers photographed outdoor beverage ads in a 4.7 km2 area of Accra and used content analysis to assess marketing themes of ads, including the portrayal of children, local culture, music, sports and health. Researchers also recorded the number and type of ads along a 151 km stretch of the Accra-Cape Coast Highway. Researchers assessed the added sugar content to determine which beverages were sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). RESULTS: Seventy-seven photographed ads were analysed. Seventy-three per cent (72.7%) of ads featured SSBs, and Coca-Cola accounted for 59.7% of ads. Sixty-five per cent (64.9%) of all ads featured sodas, while 35.1% advertised energy drinks, bottled or canned juice drinks and coffee-based, milk-based and water-based beverages. Thirteen per cent (13%) of ads featured children and 5.2% were located near schools or playgrounds. Nine per cent (9.1%) of ads contained a reference to health and 7.8% contained a reference to fitness/strength/sport. Along the Accra-Cape Coast Highway, Coca-Cola accounted for 60% of branded ads. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the frequency of outdoor SSB ads within a 4.7 km2 area of Accra, Ghana. Coca-Cola was featured in the majority of ads, and the child-targeted nature of some ads indicates a need to expand the Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative pledge to reduce child-targeted marketing on a global scale.

Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of first-degree relatives of patients with chronic kidney disease toward kidney donation in Nigeria.

In most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, kidney transplant programs are dependent on the willingness of relatives of patients with kidney failure to donate kidneys. This study assessed the attitudes of relatives of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) toward kidney donation. This was a cross-sectional survey of relatives of patients with CKD attending the nephrology service of our hospital. The respondents' socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge and beliefs about kidney transplantation, as well as their willingness to donate a kidney, were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. There were 161 respondents who returned completed questionnaires; the mean age of the respondents was 34.8±12.6 years and 52.2% of them were female. About 85.1% of the respondents were aware that kidney transplantation was a treatment option for end-stage renal failure, while 70% of them believed that kidney transplantation resulted in an improvement in the quality of life of these patients. However, 25.5% of the respondents believed that kidney donors were at risk of developing kidney failure in the future. Overall, 77.6% of the respondents were willing to donate a kidney, especially if the affected individual was their offspring. The majority of the respondents were willing to donate a kidney to a relative with CKD.

Challenges of providing maintenance hemodialysis in a resource poor country: Experience from a single teaching hospital in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

Providing maintenance hemodialysis is associated with high costs and poor outcomes. In Nigeria, more than 90% of the population lives below the poverty line, and patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) pay out-of-pocket for maintenance hemodialysis. To highlight the challenges of providing maintenance hemodialysis for patients with ESRD in Nigeria, we reviewed records of all patients who joined the maintenance hemodialysis program of our dialysis unit over a 21-month period. Information regarding frequency of hemodialysis, types of vascular access for dialysis, mode of anemia treatment and frequency of blood transfusion received were retrieved. One hundred and twenty patients joined the maintenance hemodialysis program of our unit during the period under review. Seventy-two (60%) were males and the mean age of the study population was 47 + 14 years. The mean hemoglobin concentration at commencement of dialysis was 7.3 g/dL + 1.6 g/dL. The initial vascular access was femoral vein cannulation in all the patients. A total of 73.5% of the patients required blood transfusion at some point with 33% receiving five or more pints of blood. Only 3.3% of the patients had thrice weekly dialysis, 21.7% dialyzed twice weekly, 23.3% once weekly, 16.7% once in two weeks, 2.5% once in three weeks and 11.7% once monthly. At the time of review, 8.3% of the patients had died while 38.3% were lost to follow-up. Majority of patients with ESRD on maintenance hemodialysis in our unit were poorly prepared for dialysis, were under-dialyzed, and were frequently transfused with blood with resultant poor outcomes.