Kidney disease screening in a group of female health personnel: Who are often missing?

Background and Objective: Data on early-stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the prevalence of CKD are very limited, especially more scanty in our female population. Hence, data from a kidney screening program organized at the Chattagram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital premises in connection with the observance of World Kidney Day 2018 were looked at for renal function among a group of female health personnel. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among a group of female health personnel working at the hospital. Age, body weight, height, Body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure were documented, and serum creatinine was measured at a single sitting. The kidney function was estimated by calculating the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using the Modified Diet in Renal Disease formula. Kidney function was classified according to estimated GFR (eGFR) and Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) guidelines. Results: A total of 101 female health personnel were studied – physicians - 23; nurses - 45, and health assistants - 33. Majority participants (51%) were in the age group of 20–29 years; 5% were <20-year-old; and 9.9% were more than 40-year-old. The distribution of eGFR was symmetrical, with the majority (82%) of individuals in the 60–89 mL/min category; 11.88% had 30–59 mL/min category and only 5.9% of the study population had eGFR >90 mL/min category. An inverse relation between the age and eGFR and a direct relation between the BMI and eGFR were observed in the study. Conclusion: The results indicate that low GFR levels and consequently a high burden of likely CKD are prevailing in our female population. It is not clear whether such observations are the result of the transportability problems associated with the GFR prediction equations or with the suitability of K/DOQI guidelines for the classification of CKD in our population or both. Well-planned, larger, and community- and hospital-based studies are warranted to clarify these issues, especially for our female population.