The prevalence of radiological markers of renal osteodystrophy in patients with chronic renal failure in Enugu.

Objectives: To study the prevalence of renal osteodystrophy in Chronic renal failure patients in Enugu, using radiological methods.

Subjects And Methods: Ninety adult patients (56 male and 34 female) were recruited from the renal clinics of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu over a period of twelve consecutive months. A structured questionnaire was administered and a physical examination carried out at the initial interview. This was followed by other investigations including renal ultrasonography, plain radiographs and laboratory investigations including serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine, calcium and phosphate, total alkaline phosphate and creatinine clearance estimation.

Results: There was no obvious relationship between bone pain (a symptom of renal osteodystrophy) and the presence ofradiological features of renal osteodystrophy. The findings of the study showed that renal osteodystrophy, demonstrable by radiography is relatively uncommon, existing in only 3 subjects (3.35%). Among the 3 subjects, 2 showed radiological features of osteitis fibrosa cystica (one male and one female), while the other subject (one female) had radiological features of osteoporosis. All these subjects belonged to group 3 and had been on maintainance haemodialysis for more than 6 months. Other forms of renal osteodystrophy were not demonstrated.

Conclusion: Renal osteodystrophy is probably not as common in Nigerian patients as in Caucasians and there may be reasons for this.