Asian Journal of Medicine and Health

Introduction: Kidney disease is a growing worldwide public health problem and prevalence varies within and between countries. Epidemiological data is therefore imperative for prioritization and adequate resource allocation, especially in settings where no previous data exists.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and pattern of renal diseases among adults admitted into the medical wards of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Southern Nigeria.

Methods: Case notes of all patients admitted into the medical wards were reviewed from January 2019 to December 2022. Data extracted included sociodemographic variables, diagnosis and treatment outcomes of patients with renal disease.

Results: Of the 2,725 patients admitted to the medical wards, 386 (14.2%) had renal disease. The mean age of patients was 51.2 ± 16 years. There was a male preponderance of 210 (54.4%) with a M: F = 1.3:1. The most prevalent renal diseases were hypertensive nephropathy 125(32.4%), diabetic nephropathy 91(23.7%), HIV-related renal disease 54(14.0%) and obstructive uropathy 23(6%). Acute kidney injury constituted 37 (9.6%) of renal admissions. Analysis of outcome showed that 254 (65.8%) were discharged home, 17 (4.4%) patients discharged themselves against medical advice, 5 (1.3%) absconded, 2 (0.5%) referred and 108 (28.0%) of them died. The highest mortality (19.4%) occurred among patients with the HIV-related renal disease

Conclusion: The prevalence of renal disease is high, with hypertension, diabetes, HIV and obstructive uropathy as its commonest risk factors. Renal diseases still contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality among in-hospital admissions in Rivers State, Southern Nigeria. Preventative measures including health education, advocacy and screening for renal disease are imperative.