Prevalence of chronic kidney disease among the high risk population in South-Western Ghana; a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a major global health problem. CKD is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus and hypertension and carries a risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and progression to end-stage kidney disease. OBJECTIVES This study sought to use the 2012 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definitions to establish the prevalence and risk factors for CKD among a high risk population in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis. DESIGN Cross sectional study. SETTING Effia-Nkwanta regional and the Takoradi Government hospitals in South Western Ghana. PATIENTS Two hundred eight consecutive adults with diabetes, hypertension or both. MEASUREMENTS Serum creatinine and urine albumin-creatinine ratio respectively. The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) was used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR). METHODS CKD was classified according to KDIGO. RESULTS The prevalence of CKD was 30 %: 27 % in patients with diabetes, 22 % in patients with hypertension only and 74 % in patients with both diabetes and hypertension. GFR category G3a CKD was most prevalent stage (9 %). Albuminuria was highest among people with diabetes (39 %). LIMITATIONS A convenience sample of patients attending clinics. CONCLUSION CKD was prevalent in these high-risk patients.