Abstract:
Objectives:
To describe demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of a cohort of
patients with CKD in North Central Provin
ce
Methods:
This is a descriptive cross sectional study of the patients who attended the renal
clinic in Teaching Hospital, Anuradhapura. Study sample (n=384) was selected using
systematic sampling technique. Data was collected using a pre
-
tested structure
d interviewer
administered questionnaire.
Results:
Prevalence of chronic kidney disease with uncertain aetiology
(CKDu)
in the total
population with CKD was 70.8%. Among the 29.2% of patients with CKD with known
etiology (CKDd), commonest underlying diseas
es were hypertension (49.1%) and Diabetes
(19.6%). Of the
CKDu
patients, 48.5% had a positive family history. Prevalence among
males was higher (1.45:1). Mean age was 57.3 years (SD 9.8).Cultivating using
agrochemicals and consuming such food (97.1%), bein
g local residents for over 40 years
(96.7%) and usage of well water (62.1%), were common. Spending on bottled water for day
today purposes was a problem in 73.2%. Alcoholism, smoking and betel chewing were also
common issues.
Conclusions:
Nearly three four
ths of this study sample has
CKDu.
It appears to affect people
in their sixth decade, residing locally for over four decades, drinking water from own wells,
cultivating and consuming food using agrochemicals. These may be pointers towards
aetiology of CKDu
. Significant burden of expenditure for water for day today purposes on
this low income group has to be addressed immediately.
