Clinical profile of patients with diabetic nephropathy in a tertiary level hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among patients with diabetes worldwide. Data on DN patients in Bangladesh are scarce. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical status of patients with DN and its associated factors in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 130 DN patients admitted in Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM) hospital in Dhaka from May to July 2010. We collected data using structured questionnaires, anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical measurements. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the relationships between independent variables and factors associated with DN. Results: The mean age of the patients was 56.50 ± 14.2 years. The mean duration of hypertension, diabetes, and DN was 7.32 ± 5.42, 10.08 ± 6.8, and 3.24 ± 3.67 years, respectively. The mean HbA1c was 10.07 ± 3.27%, and mean serum creatinine 2.91 ± 1.98 mg/dl. The correlation coefficient matrix suggests relationships between many of the patients′ characteristics and clinical outcomes. Multiple logistic regression analysis shows that the duration of DN (>3 years) is associated with female sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97-2.12), systolic blood pressure (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.78-1.53), serum creatinine (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.96-1.87), HbA1c (OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.89-2.01), and duration of hypertension (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.83-2.37). Conclusion: The results show that among the study participants DN develops earlier with a shorter duration of hypertension and diabetes, providing a strong case for promoting effective strategies for optimum management of diabetes and hypertension in the clinics.

Keywords

• Bangladesh
• diabetes
• diabetic nephropathy
• hypertension