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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives The study aimed at determining the prevalence of and risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) using microalbuminuria (MA) as a screening test in a rural area in Gharbia Governorate. Background CKD is being increasingly recognized as a public health problem. There is still paucity of data on the prevalence of and risk factors for CKD by using MA as a screening test in the Middle East. Methods A randomly chosen sample of 320 apparently healthy individuals were interviewed in Shennera village in Gharbia Governorate using a structured questionnaire including information about risk factors for MA. They were also subjected to laboratory investigations including analyses of microalbumin, creatinine, and random blood sugar levels and lipid profile. Results The mean age of the studied sample was 35.7±13.7 years; 50.9% were male. Only 85% of the sample had sufficient income. The prevalence of MA was 14.4%. The prevalence of CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate<60 ml/min/1.73 m2+MA) was 15.6%, but those with elevated creatinine levels comprised 2.8% of the studied group. MA showed an increasing trend with age. The prevalence of MA was significantly higher among diabetic patients, hypertensive patients, obese individuals, cardiovascular disease patients, and smokers. The independent predictor variables associated with the presence of MA in a mutually adjusted logistic regression model were diabetes (odds ratio=8.62, 95% confidence interval: 2.62–28.31) and hypertension (odds ratio=4.92, 95% confidence interval: 1.63–14.86). Conclusion Screening of MA seemed to be an easy, equally, or even more efficient method for early identification of significant numbers of individuals with CKD compared with other conventional methods, particularly among those with uncontrolled or undetected diseases such as diabetes or hypertension.

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