Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) involves a gradual decline in kidney function and is often influenced by diabetes, hypertension, and genetic predispositions. Clinically, patients may exhibit symptoms including fatigue, edema, and changes in urine output. Lifestyle habits and coexisting medical conditions can significantly contribute to its progression. This study aimed to examine the clinical and etiological profiles of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh from January 2022 to July 2023. In this study, 83 adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were purposively included. CKD was defined as kidney damage lasting 3 months or more with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 60 ml/min/1.73m². Data analysis was conducted using MS Office tools.
Results: Pedal edema was observed in 59.0% of patients, and pallor was seen in 51.8%. Common clinical symptoms included generalized weakness (54.2%), oliguria (56.6%), and anorexia (61.4%). Laboratory investigations revealed that 31.3% of patients had a hemoglobin level <5 gm/dl, while 50.6% ranged from 5-10 gm/dl. Blood urea levels were <100 mg/dl in 20.5% of patients, while 42.2% had levels between 100-200 mg/dl. Serum creatinine levels were <5 mg/dl in 20.5% of participants and 51.8% had levels between 5-10 mg/dl. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was the leading cause of CKD, affecting 37.3% of participants. Chronic glomerulonephritis, hypertension, and obstructive uropathy were observed in 21.7%, 19.3%, and 7.2% of participants, respectively.
Conclusion: CKD commonly presents with pedal edema and pallor as signs, and generalized weakness, oliguria, and anorexia as symptoms. Most patients have elevated creatinine levels. Type 2 diabetes is the leading cause, followed by chronic glomerulonephritis and hypertension.