Risk assessment for hypocalcemia in therapeutic apheresis for kidney transplantation.

Introduction: The increase in the number of kidney transplants performed in the United States has been paralleled with an increase in the utilization of therapeutic apheresis (TA) for kidney transplant indications. Hypocalcemia remains a significant contributor to the adverse event in TA. The magnitude of hypocalcemia and its risk factors are scarcely discussed in literature.

Therapeutic apheresis in kidney transplantation: Emerging trends.

Introduction: The use of therapeutic apheresis (TA) either as stand-alone or adjunctive treatment in kidney transplantation has increased over the years to become a leading indication. This study shows recent trends in indications for TA related to kidney transplantation, adverse events, and patient outcome in this cohort.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort review of adults who received TA for kidney transplant-related indications from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2022, at the University of Virginia Medical Centre, Charlottesville, VA, USA.

Task shifting roles, interventions and outcomes for kidney and cardiovascular health service delivery among African populations: a scoping review.

Background: Human resources for health (HRH) shortages are a major limitation to equitable access to healthcare. African countries have the most severe shortage of HRH in the world despite rising communicable and non-communicable disease (NCD) burden. Task shifting provides an opportunity to fill the gaps in HRH shortage in Africa.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Nigeria: Systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies.

In Nigeria, several studies have assessed the prevalence of overweight/obesity with different reports. The purpose of this study was to use a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze these overweight and obesity reports from different locations in Nigeria over the last ten years. In addition, there was a dearth of systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the prevalence, trends, and demographic characteristics of overweight and obesity in the country.

The case for increased peritoneal dialysis utilization in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) has several advantages compared to haemodialysis (HD), but there is evidence showing underutilization globally, especially in low-income and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs) where kidney replacement therapies (KRT) are often unavailable, inaccessible, and unaffordable. Only 11% of all dialysis patients worldwide use PD, more than 50% of whom live in China, the United States of America, Mexico, or Thailand. Various barriers to increased PD utilization have been reported worldwide including patient preference, low levels of education, and lower provider reimbursement.

Impaired Renal Function and its Predictors among Treatment-Naive HIV-seropositive Patients in a Tertiary Institution in South-East Nigeria.

Background: Renal impairment is a significant independent risk factor for mortality among HIV-infected patients. Some antiretroviral drugs are nephrotoxic, especially to the tubules, and their dosage need to be modified in the presence of renal impairment to avoid progression to chronic kidney disease.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and predictors of renal impairment among treatment-naïve HIV sero-positive patients seen at Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia state.

Association of Genetic Polymorphisms of TGF-β1, HMOX1, and APOL1 With CKD in Nigerian Patients With and Without HIV.

Rationale & Objective: Recent studies in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected population have suggested that there are genetic predispositions to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in this context. We investigated the association of genetic polymorphisms of the genes encoding apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1; a profibrotic cytokine), and heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) with prevalent CKD among adults with and without HIV infection.

Study Design: Case-control study.

A survey of asthma management practices and implementation of Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines among doctors in a resource-limited setting in Nigeria.

Background: Bronchial asthma is a global health problem that causes significant morbidity and mortality in all age groups. Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) seeks to standardize the care asthma patients receive. We assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practices of doctors in Umuahia, Southeast Nigeria, regarding asthma and determined the extent to which they abide by GINA guidelines in their management of asthma.

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and its risk factors among adults in a semi-urban community of South-East Nigeria.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an increasingly prevalent problem worldwide. Treatment of end-stage kidney disease is beyond the reach of an average Nigerian. The prevention and early detection are imperative to reducing its burden.

Blood pressure variation and its correlates among patients undergoing hemodialysis for renal failure in Benin City, Nigeria.

Background: Blood pressure (BP) variation is commonly encountered during hemodialysis (HD) procedure. Both intradialysis hypotension and hypertension have implications for outcome of treatment and overall morbidity and mortality of the patients.

Methodology: A retrospective study was carried out in the dialysis unit of a tertiary health institution in Benin City among patients who had HD for acute kidney injury (AKI) or chronic kidney disease (CKD) over a 3-year period.

Final year nursing students in Nigeria; How knowledgeable and prepared are they to offer medical care to patients with chronic kidney disease?

Background: Nurses play an important role in the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of care. In other to perform their functions, it is pertinent that they have a good understanding of kidney functions and CKD. We do not know if the current educational curriculum prepares them adequately for this role.

Serum C-reactive protein levels in pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease patientsin southern Nigeria.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of hospitalization and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD). C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of cardiovascular disease and predictor of mortality in CKD patients. CKD patients with elevated CRP should be identified early with institution of measures to treat cardiovascular risk factors in order to reduce attendant mortality.

Assessment of some cardiovascular risk factors in predialysis chronic kidney disease patients in Southern Nigeria.

Background: Cardiovascular risk factors are responsible for cardiovascular disease and rapid progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to end-stage renal disease. Prompt evaluation, modification, and treatment of these factors in predialysis patients will reduce morbidity and mortality. This study assessed some cardiovascular risk factors in predialysis CKD patients in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria.

Towards prevention of hypertension in Nigeria: a study of prehypertension and its associations among apparently healthy adults in Umuahia, South-East Nigeria.

Background: The prevalence of hypertension is on the increase in Nigeria. Prehypertension is considered a precursor of hypertension and a predictor of excessive cardiovascular risk. Identifying individuals with prehypertension and initiating effective measures will aid in reducing the incidence and prevalence of hypertension in our environment.

Awareness level of kidney functions and diseases among adults in a Nigerian population.

The prevalence of kidney diseases is on the increase in Nigeria. The cost of its management is far beyond the reach of an average patient. Prevention is thus of paramount importance and awareness of kidney diseases will help in its prevention.

Patient-related barriers to hypertension control in a Nigerian population.

Background: Hypertension control is a challenge globally. Barriers to optimal control exist at the patient, physician, and health system levels. Patient-related barriers in our environment are not clear.