Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is considered as an underrecognized epidemic in developing countries. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are traditional risk factors for CKD. But CKD of unknown aetiology is prevalent in many parts of India. This study is about cases in the tribal region of A. Konduru, India, where several deaths were reported due to kidney problems. To estimate the prevalence and to assess the risk factors associated with CKD in the A. Konduru tribal population. This is a cross-sectional study, using the proportionate random sampling method including all the 15 thandas (habitats) of the study region. The prevalence using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated from MDRD-4 (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease) formula. People having eGFR 60 years (P < 0.001), low level of education (P = 0.047), occupation of working in farms and housewives (P = 0.027), chronic use of medication for more than 6 months (P < 0.001), HTN (P < 0.001), past kidney problems (P = 0.026), exposure to pesticides in occupation (t = 2.815, P = 0.005), and duration of stay in that region (t = 5.752, P < 0.001). There is inverse corelation between eGFR and age r (357) = -0.396 P < 0.001 and also with systolic blood pressure r (357) = -0.119 P = 0.024. Prevalence of CKD is high. Diabetes has not shown association. Working in farms, exposure to pesticides, and prolonged stay in the region are significantly associated.
Akurathi et al. (Tue,) studied this question.