Chronic renal failure in sickle cell disease: A retrospective analysis of 100 adults sickle cell patients from black Africa

The prevalence of chronic renal failure (CRF) in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients could vary from one country to another depending on the modalities of management. The aim of the present study was to appreciate the epidemiology of CRF in SCD patients from black Africa in order to search for promoting factors. One hundred SCD adult patients have been considered for the study. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) has been estimated according to the CKD-EPI formula. Three groups of patients have been identified according to the value of their GFR. The mean age of the patients was 30.84 +/- 8.26 years. Male gender has represented 51% of the study population. The mean GFR value was 175.4 +/- 86.2 mL/min/1.73 m(2). The prevalence of CRF was 11%. About 3% of them had severe CRF. Subjects with normal GFR were 20%. Subjects with glomerular hyperfiltration (HF) were 69%. By univariate analysis, when subjects with HF were compared with those presenting normal GFR, the following factors have appeared to be significantly associated: female gender (female 60.9% versus male 39.1%; P < 0.01), weight < 60 kg (weight < 60 kg; 53.67 +/- 9.45 kg versus weight > 60 kg; 59.9 +/- 9.41 kg; P < 0.008), age < 30 years (younger age 29.36 +/- 7.9 years versus older age 35.14 +/- 8.02 years; P < 0.001), lower hemoglobin value (9.38 +/- 2,3 g/dL versus 10.33 +/- 2.61 g/dL; P < 0.04). By logistic regression analysis, age < 30 years (age > 30 years; OR = 0.12 [CI95% 0.03-04]; P < 0.001), female gender (male gender; OR = 0.17 [0.04-0.64]; P < 0.01), weight < 60 kg (weight > 60 kg; OR = 0.19 [CI95% 0.05-0.72]; P < 0.01) were associated with HF. By univariate analysis, when subjects with CRF were compared with those presenting normal GFR, a lower hemoglobin value was significantly associated with CRF (7.92 +/- 2.7 g/dL versus 10.43 +/- 2.5 g/dL; P < 0.009). There was a trend for subjects not being under maintenance therapy to more experience CRF (36.4%-versus 70%; P < 0.07). By logistic regression analysis, only a low hemoglobin value was associated to CRF (higher hemoglobin level; OR = 0.55 [0.20-6.3]; P < 0.01). In total, CRF and HF are frequent complications in SCD adult patients from black Africa. (C) 2015 Association Societe de nephrologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.