Blood pressure,prevalence of hypertension and hypertension related complications in Nigerian Africans:A review

To review studies on hypertension in Nigeria over the past five decades in terms of prevalence,awareness and treatment and complications.Following our search on Pubmed,African Journals Online and the World Health Organization Global cardiovascular infobase,1060 related references were identified out of which 43 were found to be relevant for this review.The overall prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria ranges from 8%-46.4% depending on the study target population,type of measurement and cut-off value used for defining hypertension.The prevalence is similar in men and women(7.9%-50.2% vs 3.5%-68.8%,respectively) and in the urban(8.1%-42.0%) and rural setting(13.5%-46.4%).The pooled prevalence increased from 8.6% from the only study during the period from 1970-1979 to 22.5%(2000-2011).Awareness,treatment and control of hypertension were generally low with attendant high burden of hypertension related complications.In order to improve outcomes of cardiovascular disease in Africans,public health education to improve awareness of hypertension is required.Further epidemiological studies on hypertension are required to adequately understand and characterize the impact of hypertension in society.     

Lower Energy Endovenous Laser Ablation of the Great Saphenous Vein with 980 nm Diode Laser in Continuous Mode

Purpose To assess clinical outcomes, complication rates, and unit energy applied using 980 nm diode endovenous laser treatment at 11 watts for symptomatic great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence and reflux disease. Methods Thirty-four consecutive ablation therapies with a 980 nm diode endovenous laser at 11 watts were studied. The diagnosis of GSV incompetence with reflux was made by clinical evaluation and duplex Doppler examinations. The treated GSVs had a mean diameter of 1.19 cm (range 0.5–2.2 cm). The patients were followed with clinical evaluation and color flow duplex studies up to 18.5 months (mean 12.19 months ± 4.18). Results Using 980 nm diode endovenous laser ablation in continuous mode, 100% technical success was noted. The mean length of GSVs treated was 33.82 cm (range 15–45 cm). The mean energy applied during the treatment was 1,155.81 joules (J) ± 239.50 (range 545.40–1620 J) for a mean treatment duration of 90.77 sec ± 21.77. The average laser fiber withdrawal speed was 0.35 cm/sec ± 0.054. The mean energy applied per length of GSV was 35.16 J/cm ± 8.43. Energy fluence, calculated separately for each patient, averaged 9.82 J/cm² ± 4.97. At up to 18.5 months follow-up (mean 12.19 months), 0% recanalization was noted; 92% clinical improvement was achieved. There was no major complication. Minor complications included 1 patient with hematoma at the percutaneous venotomy site, 1 patient with thrombophlebitis on superficial tributary varices of the treated GSV, 24% ecchymoses, and 32% self-limiting hypersensitivity/tenderness/“pulling” sensation along the treatment area. One patient developed temporary paresthesia. Four endovenous laser ablation treatments (12%) were followed by adjunctive sclerotherapies for improved cosmetic results. Conclusion Endovenous laser ablation treatment of GSV using a 980 nm diode laser at 11 watts in continuous mode appears safe and effective. Mean energy applied per treated GSV length of 35.16 J/cm or mean laser fluence of 9.82 J/cm² appears adequate, resulting in 0% recanalization and low minor complication rates.     

The Evolution of Our Knowledge of HIV-Associated Kidney Disease in Africa

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection started in Africa circa 1930. South Africa has the highest prevalence rate in the world. Although reports of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) appeared in the early 1980s, the earliest report from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) came in 1994. Geographical, socioeconomic, political, and ethical factors have worked in concert to shape the character of HIV disease as it is seen in SSA. Political leaders within SSA have, through their actions, significantly contributed to the incidence of HIV infection. Black females, who often face cultural suppression and disadvantage, have a higher prevalence of HIV than males. Too few studies and outcomes data have bedeviled the statistics in SSA in relation to HIVAN prevalence and its management. Much of what is written is approximation and anecdotal. The largest reliable biopsy series comes from the University of Cape Town, where a workable classification of HIVAN has been developed to enable standardization of terminology. Histologic and clinical prognostic indicators with outcomes have been evaluated using this classification. Patients with HIV who present with acute kidney injury appear to have mainly acute tubular necrosis due to sepsis, dehydration, and nephrotoxic drugs. Since the rollout of combination antiretroviral therapy, the extent of HIV infection and kidney disease continues to be modified and possibly retarded.     

Long-term renal outcome and complications in South Africans with proliferative lupus nephritis

Aim

To report the long-term outcome and complication profile of South African patients with proliferative lupus nephritis (PLN).

Methods

A retrospective review of 66 patients with biopsy-proven PLN [58 diffuse proliferative LN (Class IV) and 8 focal proliferative LN (Class III)] under our care from January 1995 to December 2009 was done.

Results

Thirty-three (50 %) patients reached the composite end point of doubling of serum creatinine, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or death. The 5-, 10- and 15-year cumulative event-free survival rates were 54, 34 and 27 %, respectively. Variables associated with the composite end point were simultaneous diagnosis of SLE and LN (p = 0.048); elevated serum creatinine at onset (p = 0.009); elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p < 0.001) and elevated diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p < 0.001) on follow-up; and non-remission following induction therapy (p < 0.001). The 5-, 10- and 15-year renal survival rates in our patients were 63, 52 and 52 %, respectively. Hypertension at onset of LN (p = 0.037), nephrotic-range proteinuria (p = 0.033), eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m² (p = 0.013) and lack of remission following induction therapy (p < 0.001) were all associated with development of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Elevated SBP on follow-up (95 % CI 1.03–1.34, p = 0.017) was the only factor associated with composite end point while failure to achieve remission following induction therapy was the only factor associated with ESRD on multivariate analysis. Thirty-five (53 %) patients developed complications with persistent leukopenia, gastritis, sepsis, tuberculosis (TB) and herpes zoster being the leading complications. Ovarian failure occurred in 4 (11 %) patients.

Conclusion

The 5-, 10 and 15-year event-free survival rates were 54, 34 and 27 % and failure to achieve remission following induction therapy predicted poor renal survival on multivariate analysis.     

Acute dialysis in HIV-positive patients in Cape Town, South Africa

Aim: The prognosis for HIV patients needing acute dialysis is uncertain. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical presentation, renal diagnoses and outcomes of HIV patients who underwent acute haemodialysis at Groote Schuur Hospital in the period 2002–2007. Methods: A retrospective review of case records of HIV patients who underwent acute haemodialysis was conducted. Results: One hundred and seventeen patients were reviewed (median age 34.0 years (29.0–40.0) 53.8% men, 93.2% black Africans) and 33 had a renal biopsy. Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) was diagnosed in 68 patients. Recovery of renal function occurred in 33.3% of all patients while in 25.7% treatment was withdrawn and 41.0% died in hospital. Suspected ATN was the commonest cause of renal disease in those who recovered renal function (82.1%). A higher CD4 count (odds ratio (OR) = 0.994, P = 0.007), lower pre‐dialysis serum creatinine (<1230 µmol/L) and longer hospitalization (OR = 0.93, P = 0.006) significantly correlated with survival. Conclusion: There is a good chance of survival for HIV patients needing acute dialysis when the diagnosis is ATN, and when the CD4 count is more than 200 cells/mm³.     

Urinary MCP-1 and TWEAK as non-invasive markers of disease activity and treatment response in patients with lupus nephritis in South Africa

International Urology and Nephrology - Treatment of patients with lupus nephritis (LN) requires judicious use of immunosuppression. Novel biomarkers may be useful for monitoring disease activity...     

Outcome of patients with membranous lupus nephritis in Cape Town South Africa

Background The kidney is one of the major target organs affected by systemic lupus erythematosus. Although proliferative forms of lupus nephritis (LN) occur more frequently than membranous LN (MLN), the latter appears to have a more favourable outcome. Only a few studies have reported the outcome of patients with MLN. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients with biopsy-confirmed MLN from a single centre in South Africa treated from 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2009. Results The mean age of the patients (n = 42) at onset of LN was 35.0 ± 12.8 years with 73.8% of the patients being of mixed ancestry (coloureds). Eleven patients (26.2%) reached the composite end point of death or end-stage renal disease or persistent doubling of serum creatinine. The overall median survival and median renal survival times were 82.3 ± 15.5 months (95% confidence interval 52.0-112.6) and 84.5 ± 15.0 months (55.1-113.8), respectively. Also, 5-year event-free survival and renal survival were 64 and 71%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, systolic blood pressure (BP) during follow-up (P = 0.029), diastolic BP during follow-up (P = 0.020) and attainment of complete remission at 6 months (P = 0.033) were factors associated with the composite end points. Although treatment with chloroquine was not significantly associated with the composite end points (P = 0.05), we found that patients who received chloroquine had better renal survival compared with those who did not (P = 0.007). Conclusions The outcome of patients with MLN in Cape Town is poorer than for similar patients reported from other centres across the world. Better BP control may significantly influence outcome of disease in these patients.