CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

SCREENING OF RELATIVES OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive health care issue that is increasing cost burden on patients and health care system. In different researches it was concluded that relatives of patients suffering from CKD are at more risk of development of kidney problems and diagnosed with CKD. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early diagnosis of CKD in at risk population by screening the close family relatives of CKD patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional screening study of family members of CKD patients performed in Nephrology department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi from September 2015 to January 2017. Total 200 relatives (58% male and 42% female) of CKD patients close relatives  were enrolled and screened for medical history, physical examination (weight, height and BMI) and clinical investigations such as urine analysis,  serum Creatinine  and Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)  calculated by Cock GraftGault equation for assessment of renal functions.RESULTS: we observed53 abnormalities in relatives of CKD patients. Family history for Diabetes was present in 58(29%) relatives, Hypertension in 42(21%) relatives,  26 (13%) relatives with Glomerulonephritis (GN), and 74 patients (37%) with Tuberculosis (TB), Kidney damage and Stone diseases. Albuminuria was high in 33% relatives of CKD patients, mostly affecting first degree relatives 20.5% as compared to second degree relatives 2.5%. Relatives of CKD patients were diagnosed with high albuminuria in DM (36.2%) as compare to HTN (35.8%) and GN (27.0%).  For final diagnosis, albuminuria and CrCl were monitored, that were found abnormalin 26.5% relatives of CKD patients.CONCLUSION:The screened relatives of CKD patients are at higher risk of kidney problems in the future, especially patients suffering from DM, HTN and GN.