Prevalence of pulmonary hypertension and its associated factors among chronic kidney disease patients in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: an institution-based retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, including those on dialysis. However, its prevalence in Ethiopia remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of PH among CKD patients at a tertiary hospital in Ethiopia. METHODS: A four-year retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital from September 2020 to September 2024. The study included CKD patients receiving follow-up care at renal and diabetic clinics. Data were extracted from medical records. For the multivariable analysis, all variables with a univariate p-value < 0.20 were entered into the logistic regression model. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among 243 CKD patients (mean age 60.95 ± 12.53 years; 61.7% male), the prevalence of PH was 16.04% (95% CI: 11.8–21.7%), with 6.2% classified as severe. Advanced CKD (stages 3–5) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.32, 95% CI: 1.95–11.58, p = 0.048), type 2 diabetes (AOR: 3.18, 95% CI: 1.28–7.89, p = 0.01), and hypertension (AOR: 3.11, 95% CI: 1.35–7.19, p = 0.008) were independent risk factors for PH. CONCLUSION: PH is a significant comorbidity among Ethiopian CKD patients, with modifiable risk factors contributing to its development. These findings underscore the importance of routine PH screening in high-risk CKD populations and context-specific management strategies in resource-limited settings.