Correction: South African Renal Registry Annual Report 2015 - kidney transplants in KwaZulu-Natal

This correction serves to update the reported numbers of new kidney transplants performed annually since 2012 in the public sector in the province of KwaZulu-Natal

A comparison of urban and rural patients with chronic kidney disease referred to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban, South Africa

Background: The profiles of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in rural areas have long been thought to differ from those of their urban counterparts. However, there have been few local studies to confirm this.Methods: A retrospective review was conducted to compare the characteristics of patients with CKD from rural and urban areas in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal that were referred to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) from April 2012 to April 2013.Results: A total of 529 patients were included. The mean age of patients from rural areas was lower (40.6 vs. 53.4 years) and all these patients were Black. The rural patients had lower estimated glomerular filtration rates (mean values of 16.3 vs. 25.4 ml/min/1.73 m², p < 0.001). Regarding the prevalence of comorbid conditions, rural patients had higher rates of HIV infection (47.9% vs. 18.3%) but lower rates of hypertension (69.6% vs. 83.9%) and diabetes (20.3% vs. 54.1%).Conclusions: In this study, patients with CKD referred from rural areas differed significantly from those from urban areas. Rural patients presented at a younger age, had a higher prevalence of HIV infection, and had more advanced kidney disease at referral. Poor socio-economic circumstances limiting access to health care and less screening for CKD may contribute to delayed referrals from rural areas.

Abstracts of the Southern African Transplantation Society 2017 Congress (Durban, 1-3 September 2017)

Abstracts of the Southern African Transplantation Society 2017 Congress held in Durban, 1-3 September 2017.Abstracts published as received

Vaccination of adult patients living with chronic kidney disease against SARS-CoV-2: a position statement by the South African Nephrology Society

Safe and effective vaccination of patients living with chronic kidney disease requires an understanding of the unique immunological milieu of this population and of their potential for disease-specific side effects. This Position Statement, issued on behalf of the South African Nephrology Society, provides recommendations for local policy development and for individual practice administration and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in patients living with chronic kidney disease