"Study of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of a cohort of patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in North Central Province, Sri Lanka"

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.