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.

Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease as a Marker of Hypertension Target Organ Damage in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Hypertension is a major global cause of cardiovascular disease and death with rising worldwide prevalence, particularly in low-income countries. With low awareness, poor treatment, and low control of hypertension in Africans, there is an increased number of patients with target organ damage (TOD), especially chronic kidney disease (CKD), as a consequence of hypertension. The aim of our study is to assess the prevalence of CKD from studies in Africa reporting TOD related to hypertension.

A Systematic Review of Complications Associated With Percutaneous Native Kidney Biopsies in Adults in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Introduction: Kidney biopsy is an important tool for making diagnoses and for assessing the drug treatment requirements and disease prognosis in the management of kidney diseases. There are variations in the rate of complications associated with kidney biopsies across countries, and this depends on various clinical and technical factors. The aim of this study is to report on complications associated with kidney biopsy performed in low- and middle-income countries.

Diagnostic performance of glomerular PLA2R and THSD7A antibodies in biopsy confirmed primary membranous nephropathy in South Africans.

Background: Serum and tissue-based tests using phospholipase A2 receptor 1 (PLA2R) and thrombospondin type-1 domain containing 7A (THSD7A) are established immune biomarkers for the diagnosis of primary membranous nephropathy (PMN). This study assessed the diagnostic performance of these biomarkers in the diagnosis of PMN in South Africans.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis from a single centre in Cape Town, South Africa.

Prevalence of peritonitis and mortality in patients with ESKD treated with chronic peritoneal dialysis in Africa: a systematic review.

Objective: The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of peritonitis and mortality in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) treated with chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) in Africa.

Design: Systematic review.

Setting: Africa.