Predictors of Fatal Outcome in Hospitalised Adult Patients with Acute Kidney Injury at Two Tertiary Hospitals in Sub-Saharan Africa

Introduction: Data on mortality in acute kidney injury (AKI) derives from high-income countries where AKI is hospital-acquired and occurs in elderly patients with a high burden of cardiovascular disease. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), AKI is community-acquired occurring in healthy young adults. We aimed to identify predictors of fatal outcomes in patients with AKI in two tertiary hospitals in Cameroon. Methods: Medical records of adults with confirmed AKI, from January 2018 to March 2020 were retrieved. The outcomes of interest were in-hospital deaths and presumed causes of death. We used multiple logistic regressions modeling to identify predictors of death. The study was approved by the ethics boards of both hospitals. Values were considered significant for a p-value of 0.05. Results: We included 285 patient records (37.2% females). The mean (SD) age was 50.1 (19.0) years. Hypertension (n = 97, 34.0%), organ failure (n = 88, 30.9%), and diabetes (n = 60, 21.1%) were the main comorbidities. The majority of patients had community-acquired AKI (78.6%, n = 224), were KDIGO stage 3 (88.8%, n = 253), and needed dialysis (52.6%, n = 150). Up to 16.7% (n = 25) did not receive what was needed. The in-hospital mortality rate was 29.1% (n = 83). Lack of access to dialysis (OR = 27.8;CI: 5.2 - 149.3, p = 0.001), hypotension (OR = 11.8;CI: 1.3 - 24.8;p = 0.001) and ICU admission (OR = 5.7;CI: 1.3 - 24.8, p = 0.001) were predictors of mortality. The presence of co-morbidities or underlying diseases (n = 46, 55%) were the main causes of death. Conclusions: In-hospital AKI mortality is high, as in other low- and middle-income economies. Lack of access to dialysis and the severity of the underlying illness are major predictors of death.

Role of Lung Ultrasound in the Assessment of Hydration Status of Chronic Haemodialysis Patients

Background: Fluid overload is frequent in Haemodialysis (HD) and is one of the major factors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality for chronic HD patients. The main challenge with chronic haemodialysis patients is indeed the maintenance of a normal extracellular volume through dry weight determination. Our study aimed at assessing the role of lung ultrasound in the detection of B-lines for the determination of hydration status in chronic HD patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including 31 patients undergoing chronic HD treatment for at least 3 months, in the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital dialysis unit. Lung ultrasonography and clinical examinations were performed immediately before dialysis, and 30 minutes after dialysis. Differences between clinical and ultrasound variables before and after dialysis were measured to assess the effects of dialysis. Association between categorical variables was assessed with the Chi-squared test or Fischer test, and Rho’s Spearman coefficient for quantitative variables. Results: There was a reduction in the median of B-lines score after dialysis [12 (7 - 26) versus 8 (5 - 13)], clinical score [2 (1 - 3) versus 0 (-1 - 2)], mean of systolic blood pressure (164.74 ± 26.50 versus 158.48 ± 27.89), frequency of dyspnoea in patients (32.3% versus 6.5%);and raising of the frequency of cramps in patients (0% versus 19.4%) and all statistically significant (p ≤ 0.031). B-lines score before and after dialysis was associated with dyspnoea and raised jugular venous pressure (p Conclusion: Lung ultrasound for the detection of B-lines reflects the variation of extracellular volume during dialysis and can even capture pulmonary oedema at a pre-clinical stage. It is then a reliable and sensible method for assessing extravascular lung water and thus hydration status of haemodialysis patients. It could constitute a better alternative for an objective and accurate definition of dry weight, specifically in the African and Cameroonian context, with its assets being low cost, availability, and easiness to perform in a large population of HD patients. We, therefore, recommend further multicentric studies in order to design a standardized protocol of ultrasound follow-up for all chronic HD patients’ hydration status assessments.

Early Mortality (120 Days) amongst Incident Hemodialysis with End Stage Kidney Disease: A 5-Year Retrospective Study

Background: End stage kidney failure (ESKF) is a major public health problem worldwide. Haemodialysis is the principal method in its management, and is associated with high mortality mostly owing to cardiovascular disease (CVD). In Cameroon, data on its predictors is lacking. Objectives: This study aimed at determining the 120 day mortality, causes of death and its predictors and amongst incident haemodialysis patients with end stage kidney disease in Cameroon. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients admitted for ESKF who started haemodialysis between January 2016 and December 2020 (5 years) and who died within 120 days. For these patients, the variables collected were: age, gender, comorbidities, dialysis parameters, para-clinical parameters, cause of death. The causes of death were registered as stated by the attending physician. Data were analysed using SPSS 20. A p-value Results: Out of 1012 incident patients, 258 died giving a mortality rate of 25.5%. Of these, 59.7% were males. The mean age (SD) was 46.52 (15.6) years. The main causes of death included sepsis (45.61%), CVD (12.86%), and severe anaemia (9.94%);and were comparable between males and females except for anaemia which was more prevalent in females (p = 0.003). Catheters related infections (77.9%), and chest infections (9.0%) were the main sources of sepsis while sudden death (76.2%), myocardial infarction (9.5%), and heart failure (9.5%) were the main cardiovascular causes of death. Hypertension (65%), CVD (35.6%), and diabetes (9.19%) were the main comorbidities associated to death. The main vascular access was central venous catheter 96%. CVD (p = 0016, aOR;4.107), Albumin ≤ 3.5 g/dl (p = 0.015, aOR;23.083), and Creatinine > 20 mg/dl (p = 0.024, aOR;5.649) were independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion: One in four patients on haemodialysis died early. CVD, hypoalbuminemia and late initiation were predictors of mortality. Majority of patients die from preventable causes, with sepsis from catheter being the most frequent.

Epidemiological and Clinical Profiles of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Presenting for Emergency Hemodialysis: A Five-Year Retrospective Study in Two Dialysis Centres in Cameroon

Background: Late referral of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients requiring emergency hemodialysis (HD) for survival poses a serious threat to global health particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Objective: Describe the epidemiological and clinical profiles of CKD patients starting HD in emergency. Methodology: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Files of patient files of CKD patients who underwent dialysis from January 1st, 2016 to December 31st, 2020 were reviewed at the HD centres of the two main hospitals of the Cameroon city capital, Yaoundé. We included all emergency HD for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Socio-demographic and clinical data including past medical history, signs and symptoms at presentation and indications for emergency HD were recorded. Emergency HD was defined as a dialysis session performed in ESRD with a temporary vascular access. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 26 for Windows. Results: Out of 700 recorded CKD patients who started HD, 570 underwent an emergency HD, thus a prevalence of 81.43%. We included 311 patients, 63.7% were males. The mean age was 47.05 ± 15.60 years ranging from 8 to 83 years with a modal age group of 40 - 59 years. The most prevalent co morbidities were hypertension (66.2%), diabetes mellitus (28.6%) and HIV infection (10%). The commonest presenting symptoms were asthenia (68.2%), lower limbs swelling (52.1%) and anorexia (41.8%) and the main clinical signs were high blood pressure (74.92%), and pallor (60.5%) and altered general state (55%). The indications for emergency HD were dominated by uremic encephalopathy (33.4%) and pulmonary oedema (25.7%). Conclusion: More than eight out of ten CKD patients start emergency HD. Patients are mostly middle-aged adults with a male predominance. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus remain the most common co morbidities and uremic encephalopathy is by far the first indication for emergency HD.