Prevalence of obesityand proteinuria with associated factors among diabetic patients attending Kumasi South Hospital, Ghana

Diabetes mellitus is frequently accompanied by obesity, hypertension, and renal complications that increase morbidity and mortality. Evidence on factors associated with proteinuria among people with diabetes in Ghana remains limited. This study determined the prevalence of obesity and proteinuria and identified factors associated with proteinuria among diabetic patients attending Kumasi South Hospital. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 adult diabetic patients. Socio-demographic, clinical, and anthropometric data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and urine protein were assessed using standardized procedures. Proteinuria was determined using semi-quantitative urine dipstick analysis and dichotomized as absent (negative) or present (trace to 3+) for inferential analyses. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors independently associated with proteinuria. The mean age was 63.2 ± 11.4 years, and 65.0% were female. All participants had hypertension. Overweight and obesity were observed in 52.0% and 32.0% of participants, respectively, while proteinuria was detected in 46.0% (23.0% trace, 23.0% positive). Female sex (AOR = 6.35, 95% CI: 1.75–27.50), systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg (AOR = 3.31, 95% CI: 1.15–10.20), fair glycaemic control (AOR = 3.75, 95% CI: 1.08–14.20), and poor glycaemic control (AOR = 17.40, 95% CI: 3.13–139.00) were independently associated with proteinuria. Obesity was not independently associated with proteinuria after adjustment. Proteinuria and obesity were highly prevalent among diabetic patients attending Kumasi South Hospital. Although all participants were hypertensive, elevated systolic blood pressure, together with female sex and suboptimal glycaemic control, were independently associated with higher odds of dipstick-detected proteinuria. Routine screening for dipstick-detected proteinuria alongside optimal blood pressure and glycaemic management may help reduce the burden of diabetic kidney disease.