Clinicopathologic Study of Sickle Cell-associated Kidney Disease: A Nigerian Experience.

BACKGROUND: Improvements in sickle cell disease (SCD) care have resulted in the survival of many patients into adulthood, although this is accompanied by the increased incidence of end-organ damage, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the prevalence, pattern and predictors of renal dysfunction in SCD patients and investigated the associated renal histopathologic changes. METHODS: We evaluated 105 patients with SCD, for proteinuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and tubular dysfunction. Renal biopsy was conducted on 22 patients who qualified. Data were analysed using SPSS package version 23. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (35.2%) of the 105 patients had CKD, as defined by an eGFR of 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and/or proteinuria. The fractional excretion of potassium (FEK) was elevated in all patients, whereas the fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) was elevated in 98.1%. Glomerular filtration rate was negatively correlated with irreversible percentage sickle cell count (r = -0.616, P = 0.0001), FEK (r = -0.448, P = 0.0001) and FENa (r = -0.336, P = 0.004). Age, irreversible percentage sickle cell count, haemoglobin levels and FENa were the major predictors of CKD. The histological pattern in the 22 patients who had biopsies was consistent with mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis 11 (50%), minimal change disease 6 (27.3%), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis 3 (13.6%) and interstitial nephritis 2 (9.1%). CONCLUSIONS: CKD was prevalent in SCD patients, and it was characterised by tubular dysfunction and mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis. The main predictors of CKD were increased age, severity of vaso-occlusive crisis, worsening anaemia and tubular dysfunction.

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness: A Surrogate Marker for Cardiovascular Disease in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a measure of atherosclerotic vascular disease and considered a comprehensive picture of all alterations caused by multiple cardiovascular risk factors over time on the arterial walls. We therefore sought to determine the CIMT of the common carotid artery in patients with CKD and to evaluate the clinical pattern and prevalence of CVD in CKD patients. METHODS: A case-control study involving 100 subjects made of 50 patients with CKD stages 2 to 4 and 50 age and sex matched apparently normal individuals. Carotid intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery was considered thickened if it measured greater than 0.8 mm. All subjects had laboratory investigations, 12-lead electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiography, and ankle-brachial index. RESULTS: The mean CIMT was higher in CKD population compared with controls (P < .001). Eighty-four percent of the study population was found to have thickened CIMT compared with 18% of controls (P < .001). Patients with CKD had significantly higher blood pressure and heart rate than controls. Cardiovascular disease was also more prevalent among patients with CKD as compared with controls. Carotid intima-media thickness positively correlated with age, blood pressure, and random blood sugar. CONCLUSIONS: As CIMT was well correlated with many cardiovascular risk factors among CKD patients, it may serve as a surrogate marker for CVD and its early assessment may target patients who may need more aggressive therapy to retard the progression of kidney disease and improve outcome.

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome among hypertensive Nigerians: prevalence and clinical correlates.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) syndrome is a common disorder in the community. Association between hypertension and sleep apnoea and /or snoring has been described. The Berlin questionnaire is a validated instrument that is used to identify individuals who are at risk for OSA. The study aim to describe the prevalence of snoring and OSA among hypertensive subjects in South Western, Nigeria. METHODS: This was a descriptive study conducted at the Cardiology clinic of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, South West Nigeria. One hundred consecutive hypertensive patients were recruited from the clinic. The Berlin questionnaire and the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) were used to determine excessive daytime sleepiness and the risk of having OSA. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 16.0. Data were summarized as means ± S.D and percentages. RESULTS: The study participants consisted of 40 males (40.0%). The demographic data were similar between both genders except that females had higher mean body mass index than males. The prevalence of snoring was 50.0%. 52% were categorized as being at high risk of having OSA. Snorers were more likely to be older, males and to have a higher fasting blood sugar than non-snorers. 96% of snorers reported excessive daytime somnolence as predicted by the ESS score compared to 4% of non snorers. Prevalence of snoring was also higher among overweight and obese hypertensive subjects than normal body mass index hypertensive subjects. CONCLUSION: Snoring is common among hypertensive subjects in South Western Nigeria. Clinically suspected OSA was similarly high in prevalence among them. Early identification and management may reduce the cardiovascular risk of hypertensive subjects.