Faculty Presentations Faculty Presentations: Doreen Mukona

Prevalence of diabetic nephropathy and associated factors in patients with diabetes mellitus attending outpatient clinic at United Bulawayo hospitals, Bulawayo Metropolitan, Zimbabwe

Full list of poster authors

• Doreen Macherera Mukona, PhD, MScN, BScN, RN
• Patience Ndhlovu
• Mathilda Zvinavashe

Conference where poster was previously displayed

None

Poster abstract 

Background

Diabetic nephropathy and its consequences are among the major causes of morbidity and mortality in diabetic populations. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was estimated at 592 million, or 10.5% of the global adult population aged 30–79 years. Moreover, it is projected to rise to 783 million in 2045 if no worthwhile preventive measures are considered immediately. The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy and associated factors in patients with diabetes mellitus attending outpatient clinic at United Bulawayo Hospitals, Bulawayo.

Methods

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 398 diabetic patients attending an outpatient clinic at a central hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Records for the period from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, were accessed. Systematic random sampling method was utilized to select records. A clinical audit form was developed and used to collect sociodemographic data, lifestyle factors and relevant clinical data. Data were analyzed using STATA version 15. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze socio demographic data, lifestyle factors and clinical data. A Chi-square test was performed to assess the significance of association between variables and binary logistic regression was performed to determine magnitude of association. All significantly associated valuables p-value of 0.05 in bivariate logistic regression analyses were analyzed in multivariate logistic regression to identify the associated factors. Associations were presented as odds ratio (OR) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy was 30.9%. Majority participants (52.3%) were aged between 41 and 60 years. More than two thirds (69.1%) had Type 2 diabetes, while 37.7% had lived with diabetes for 11 years or more. Males had a slightly higher odds of the outcome compared to females (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.76–1.81, p < 0.001). Age was a significant predictor, with participants aged 41–50, 51–60, and 61 years and above showing progressively higher odds of the outcome (OR 2.30 (95% CI: 1.04–5.08, p = 0.039). Diabetes duration showed strong associations, with participants who had diabetes for 6–10 years (OR: 14.0, 95% CI: 4.96–39.53, p < 0.001) and for more than 11 years (OR: 11.47, 95% CI: 4.06–32.41, p < 0.001) being significantly more likely to experience the outcome compared to those with a duration of 5 years or less. Hypertension was significantly associated with a threefold increase in the odds of the outcome (OR: 3.18, 95% CI: 2.03–4.99, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The study revealed that one in four diabetic patients had diabetic nephropathy. Routine and vigilant monitoring should be done to people with diabetes in old age, with family history of CKD, long duration on diabetes, and hypertension. Evidence based health education on self-management should be emphasized to halt or delay the development of complications such as diabetic nephropathy in people with diabetes mellitus.