Factors Associated With Chronic Kidney Disease of Non-Traditional Causes Among Children in Guatemala

Objective. To identify factors associated with chronic kidney disease of non-traditional causes among children in Guatemala. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. The study population was all pediatric patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease active in FUNDANIER’s pediatric nephrology unit (N = 156). Simple random sampling led to a total of 100 participants. Data collection consisted of a questionnaire addressing individual and household characteristics, access and utilization of health care, and place of residence when the disease began. Chronic kidney disease etiology was obtained from medical records. Municipality-level secondary data were collected. Descriptive statistics were estimated. Logistic regression was used for bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results. The odds ratio (OR) for almost all variables approached 1. Notable exceptions in household characteristics were mother’s education level up to primary school (OR 2.2727) and living in an urban setting when symptoms began (OR 0.4035). Exceptions in municipal characteristics are zones with intensive small-scale agriculture (OR 3.8923) and those with intensive large-scale agriculture (OR 0.3338). P-values and confidence intervals show that the sample was not big enough to capture statistically significant associations between variables. Conclusions. Study findings suggest that factors associated with chronic kidney disease of non-traditional causes among children in Guatemala are intensive agricultural practices in their municipality of residence, and mother’s level of education. Future research in children could use case-control designs or population-based studies in agricultural communities. Public health interventions that involve kidney function screening among children are recommended. Objetivo. Determinar los factores asociados a la enfermedad renal crónica por causas no tradicionales en niños en Guatemala. Métodos. Se realizó una encuesta transversal. La población de estudio fue la totalidad de pacientes pediátricos con enfermedad renal crónica en fase 5 ingresados en la unidad de nefrología pediátrica de Fundanier (N = 156). Mediante el muestreo aleatorio simple se dispuso de un total de 100 participantes. La recopilación de datos consistió en un cuestionario que abordaba las características individuales y del hogar, el acceso y el uso de la atención de salud y el lugar de residencia al inicio de la enfermedad. La etiología de la enfermedad renal crónica se obtuvo a partir de los expedientes médicos y los datos secundarios se recopilaron a nivel municipal. Se calcularon las estadísticas descriptivas y se empleó el método de regresión logística para el análisis bifactorial y multifactorial. Resultados. La razón de posibilidades (OR) se aproximó a 1 en casi todas las variables. Dos excepciones destacables en lo relativo a las características domésticas fueron el nivel de escolaridad de la madre hasta la educación primaria (OR 2,2727) y el lugar de residencia en un entorno urbano en la aparición de los síntomas (OR 0,4035). Las excepciones con respecto a las características municipales fueron las zonas de agricultura intensiva a pequeña escala (OR 3,8923) y las zonas de agricultura intensiva a gran escala (OR 0,3338). Los valores P y los intervalos de confianza indican que la muestra no fue lo suficientemente amplia para recoger las asociaciones estadísticamente significativas entre variables. Conclusiones. Los resultados del estudio sugieren que los factores asociados a la enfermedad renal crónica por causas no tradicionales en niños en Guatemala son las prácticas agrícolas intensivas en el municipio de residencia y el nivel de escolaridad de la madre. Las futuras investigaciones con niños podrían incluir el diseño de casos o los estudios poblacionales en comunidades agrícolas. Se recomiendan intervenciones de salud pública que incorporen el tamizaje de la función renal en niños. Objetivo. Identificar os fatores associados a doença renal crônica de etiologia não tradicional em crianças na Guatemala. Métodos. Foi realizado um estudo transversal em uma população que consistiu de todos os pacientes pediátricos com doença renal crônica ativa em estágio 5 atendidos na unidade de nefrologia pediátrica da Fundación para el Niño Enfermo Renal (FUNDANIER) (N = 156). O processo de amostragem aleatória simples determinou a obtenção de uma amostra com 100 participantes. Um questionário foi usado para a coleta de dados sobre as características pessoais e familiares dos participantes, acesso à assistência de saúde e utilização de serviços e local de residência ao início da doença. Informação sobre a etiologia da doença renal crônica foi obtida dos prontuários médicos. Também foram coletados dados secundários ao nível da localidade. Estatísticas descritivas foram estimadas e um modelo de regressão logística foi usado nas análises bivariada e multivariada. Resultados. As razões de chance (odds ratio, OR) de quase todas as variáveis se aproximaram de 1. As exceções nas variáveis relativas às características familiares foram escolaridade da mãe de nível fundamental (OR 2,2727) e residir em área urbana ao início dos sintomas (OR 0,4035). As exceções nas variáveis ao nível municipal foram áreas de agricultura intensiva em pequena escala (OR 3,8923) e em grande escala (OR 0,3338). Os valores de p e os intervalos de confiança indicam que o tamanho da amostra não foi grande o suficiente para detectar associações estatisticamente significativas entre as variáveis. Conclusões. O estudo demonstrou que práticas agrícolas intensivas na localidade de residência e nível de escolaridade da mãe são fatores associados a doença renal crônica de etiologia não tradicional em crianças na Guatemala. Outros estudos em crianças devem ser realizados como estudos de caso-controle ou estudos populacionais em comunidades agrícolas. Recomendam-se também intervenções de saúde pública com a avaliação preventiva da função renal em crianças

La Nefrología en Guatemala : Una historia vivida.

La Nefrología es la rama de la Medicina que se encarga del estudio de los Riñones en la salud y en la enfermedad. Es una ciencia recién nacida, si se compara con otras especialidades médicas, pero que ha cobrado gran importancia en las últimas décadas. Las enfermedades de los riñones se han incrementado de manera epidémica en los últimos 20 años. Esta realidad no es exclusiva de los países industrializados, sino que también afecta a los países en vías de desarrollo. Por esta razón, la Nefrología ha pasado a ser una disciplina de importancia en la salud pública y con interacciones importantes con casi todas las otras disciplinas médicas existentes

Chronic Kidney Disease Among Children in Guatemala

OBJECTIVE: To describe the distribution of pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Guatemala, estimate incidence and prevalence of pediatric end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and estimate time to progress to ESRD. METHODS: This study analyzed the registry of the only pediatric nephrology center in Guatemala, from 2004-2013. Incidence and prevalence were calculated for annual periods. Moran's index for spatial autocorrelation was used to determine significance of geographic distribution of incidence. Time to progress to ESRD and associated risk factors were calculated with multivariate Cox regression. RESULTS: Of 1 545 patients from birth to less than 20 years of age, 432 had chronic renal failure (CRF). Prevalence and incidence of ESRD were 4.9 and 4.6 per million age-related population, respectively. Incidence was higher for the Pacific coast and Guatemala City. The cause of CRF was undetermined in 43% of patients. Average time to progress to ESRD was 21.9 months; factors associated with progression were: older age, diagnosis of glomerulopathies, and advanced-stage CKD at consultation. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence and incidence of ESRD in Guatemala are lower than in other countries. This may reflect poor access to diagnosis. Areas with higher incidence and large proportion of CKD of undetermined cause are compatible with other studies from the geographic subregion. Findings on progression to ESRD may reflect delayed referral

Chronic kidney disease among children in Guatemala

OBJECTIVE: To describe the distribution of pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Guatemala, estimate incidence and prevalence of pediatric end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and estimate time to progress to ESRD. METHODS: This study analyzed the registry of the only pediatric nephrology center in Guatemala, from 2004-2013. Incidence and prevalence were calculated for annual periods. Moran's index for spatial autocorrelation was used to determine significance of geographic distribution of incidence. Time to progress to ESRD and associated risk factors were calculated with multivariate Cox regression. RESULTS: Of 1 545 patients from birth to less than 20 years of age, 432 had chronic renal failure (CRF). Prevalence and incidence of ESRD were 4.9 and 4.6 per million age-related population, respectively. Incidence was higher for the Pacific coast and Guatemala City. The cause of CRF was undetermined in 43% of patients. Average time to progress to ESRD was 21.9 months; factors associated with progression were: older age, diagnosis of glomerulopathies, and advanced-stage CKD at consultation. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence and incidence of ESRD in Guatemala are lower than in other countries. This may reflect poor access to diagnosis. Areas with higher incidence and large proportion of CKD of undetermined cause are compatible with other studies from the geographic subregion. Findings on progression to ESRD may reflect delayed referral

“I Won’t Ever Feel Normal”: Experience Reported Through Photovoice by Children with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background Much of the global chronic kidney disease burden is experienced in low- and middle-income countries. Children living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face medical and social challenges, and they need support at the individual and family levels. This study aimed to explore children’s experiences living with kidney replacement therapy (KRT) who attend the largest pediatric nephrology department in Guatemala. Methods This qualitative study used photovoice and asked children to take pictures that represented what is like to live with CKD. Each child and their caregiver underwent an interview where the photos were used to elicit and facilitate discussion. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Eight children and their mothers participated in the study. Three themes were identified: interactions with the health system, changing and difficult family dynamics, and strains on social interactions. Children face social challenges including self-isolation and alienation. The family dynamics and familial structures often are forced to change, inducing stress. This is all exacerbated by the difficulties that arise in navigating the Guatemalan health system. Conclusions Photovoice techniques are a feasible way to understand the experiences of children and their families who face CKD. The disease affects all aspects of life and recognizing this while advising and administering care can help provide a comprehensive level of care. Health systems need to make efforts aimed at improving the quality of care as well as the multidisciplinary support available to children and their families

Factors associated to acceptable treatment adherence among children with chronic kidney disease in Guatemala

<div><p>Pediatric patients with Chronic Kidney Disease face several barriers to medication adherence that, if addressed, may improve clinical care outcomes. A cross sectional questionnaire was administered in the Foundation for Children with Kidney Disease (FUNDANIER, Guatemala City) from September of 2015 to April of 2016 to identify the predisposing factors, enabling factors and need factors related to medication adherence. Sample size was calculated using simple random sampling with a confidence level of 95%, confidence interval of 0.05 and a proportion of 87%. A total of 103 participants responded to the questionnaire (calculated sample size was 96). Independent variables were defined and described, and the bivariate relationship to dependent variables was determined using Odds Ratio. Multivariate analysis was carried out using logistic regression. The mean adherence of study population was 78% (SD 0.08, max = 96%, min = 55%). The mean adherence in transplant patients was 82% (SD 7.8, max 96%, min 63%), and the mean adherence in dialysis patients was 76% (SD 7.8 max 90%, min 55%). Adherence was positively associated to the mother’s educational level and to higher monthly household income. Together predisposing, enabling and need factors illustrate the complexities surrounding adherence in this pediatric CKD population. Public policy strategies aimed at improving access to comprehensive treatment regimens may facilitate treatment access, alleviating economic strain on caregivers and may improve adherence outcomes.</p></div

Prognostic significance of microalbuminuria in postdiarrheal hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Patients who survive the acute phase of postdiarrheal hemolytic uremic syndrome (D+ HUS) may develop renal complications after years of apparent recovery. The optimal regimen for monitoring these children is unclear. We therefore determined if screening for microalbuminuria, in the absence of overt proteinuria at follow-up, increased the sensitivity for predicting long-term renal-related sequelae. We found that screening for microalbuminurea, within the first 6-18 months following an episode of HUS, increased the sensitivity for predicting later sequelae from 22 to 66.7%, compared to screening for overt proteinuria alone. These findings, if confirmed by a larger cohort with more years of follow-up, may facilitate early initiation of intervention strategies designed to reduce progressive renal damage

Multivariate analysis for entire sample using logistic regression.

<p>Multivariate analysis for entire sample using logistic regression.</p

Bivariate analysis for HD, PD and transplant participants combined.

<p>Bivariate analysis for HD, PD and transplant participants combined.</p

Challenges in the provision of kidney care at the largest public nephrology center in Guatemala: a qualitative study with health professionals

Abstract Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide, and the majority of the CKD burden is in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, there is wide variability in global access to kidney care therapies such as dialysis and kidney transplantation. The challenges health professionals experience while providing kidney care in LMICs have not been well described. The goal of this study is to elicit health professionals’ perceptions of providing kidney care in a resource-constrained environment, strategies for dealing with resource limitations, and suggestions for improving kidney care in Guatemala. Methods Semi-structured interviews were performed with 21 health professionals recruited through convenience sampling at the largest public nephrology center in Guatemala. Health professionals included administrators, physicians, nurses, technicians, nutritionists, psychologists, laboratory personnel, and social workers. Interviews were recorded and transcribed in Spanish. Qualitative data from interviews were analyzed in NVivo using an inductive approach, allowing dominant themes to emerge from interview transcriptions. Results Health professionals most frequently described challenges in providing high-quality care due to resource limitations. Reducing the frequency of hemodialysis, encouraging patients to opt for peritoneal dialysis rather than hemodialysis, and allocating resources based on clinical acuity were common strategies for reconciling high demand and limited resources. Providers experienced significant emotional challenges related to high patient volume and difficult decisions on resource allocation, leading to burnout and moral distress. To improve care, respondents suggested increased budgets for equipment and personnel, investments in preventative services, and decentralization of services. Conclusions Health professionals at the largest public nephrology center in Guatemala described multiple strategies to meet the rising demand for renal replacement therapy. Due to systems-level limitations, health professionals faced difficult choices on the stewardship of resources that are linked to sentiments of burnout and moral distress. This study offers important lessons in Guatemala and other countries seeking to build capacity to scale-up kidney care.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/173567/1/12882_2020_Article_1732.pd