Identification of People at Risk of Developing Chronic Kidney Disease among Rural Disadvantageous Population in Bangladesh

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global disease and the prevalence of CKD is increasing in both developed and developing countries. The current study aimed to assess subjects in the rural areas of Sylhet district in Bangladesh to identify individuals who may be predisposed to at risk for developing CKD.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 996 subjects from Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Data were collected by using a standard questionnaire from 82 villages. Data about socio-demographic, medical history and anthropometric and biochemical parameters were collected. Urine dipstick test was done for both albumin and glucose. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA-test were performed for statistical analysis.

Results: The study revealed that people living in rural areas of Sylhet in Bangladesh are at risk of developing CKD and the hidden cause behind it includes not only diabetes and hypertension, but also other lifestyle related factors. Younger participants were found to be at less risk compared to older participants for developing CKD. From urinary dipstick test, 2% and 3.3% subjects had severe traces of albumin and glucose in their urine. Approximately 16% of subjects had hypertension. From the data of 99 out of 996 subjects for urine albumin dipstick test, 98 respondents were identified as stage I CKD patients and only one was identified as stage II CKD patients.

Conclusion: As dialysis and transplants are unsustainable in the long term, it is important to seek preventive strategies when patients are in pre-dialysis state and identify and manage those at high risk. Nutrition and life-style choices can play key roles to achieve this. So, urgent low-cost programs are needed to identify people who are at risk of CKD as well as address their current medical condition to initiate early management of CKD patients.