<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article  PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v3.0 20080202//EN" "http://dtd.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/3.0/journalpublishing3.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="3.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="research article"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">OJNeph</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>Open Journal of Nephrology</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="epub">2164-2842</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Scientific Research Publishing</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.4236/ojneph.2020.104034</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">OJNeph-104348</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Articles</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="Discipline-v2"><subject>Medicine&amp;Healthcare</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>
 
 
  Morphological and Structural Study of Native Kidneys in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Dialysis Compared to Non-Dialysis Patients
 
</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Jacques</surname><given-names>Vigan</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Patricia</surname><given-names>Ahouansou Yekpe</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"><sup>2</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Sonia</surname><given-names>Adjanohoun</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"><sup>2</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Séraphin</surname><given-names>Ahoui</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff3"><sup>3</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Bruno</surname><given-names>Leopold Agboton</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Hosana</surname><given-names>Kpoviessi SM</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Olivier</surname><given-names>Biaou</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"><sup>2</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff3"><addr-line>Nephrology Healthcare Center, Borgou Regional Hospital, Parakou, Benin</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff2"><addr-line>CNHU-HKM Medical Imaging Center, Cotonou, Benin</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff1"><addr-line>Nephrology and Hemodialysis Academic Clinic, National University Hospital Center, Hubert K Maga (CNHU-HKM) of 
Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin</addr-line></aff><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>15</day><month>10</month><year>2020</year></pub-date><volume>10</volume><issue>04</issue><fpage>348</fpage><lpage>360</lpage><history><date date-type="received"><day>26,</day>	<month>October</month>	<year>2020</year></date><date date-type="rev-recd"><day>22,</day>	<month>November</month>	<year>2020</year>	</date><date date-type="accepted"><day>25,</day>	<month>November</month>	<year>2020</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>&#169; Copyright  2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2014</copyright-year><license><license-p>This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</license-p></license></permissions><abstract><p>
 
 
  Whether on dialysis or not, native kidneys in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients undergo morphological and structural changes. 
  Objective: To study native kidney morphometric and structural aspects in CKD patients on dialysis and non-dialysis patients. 
  Methods: It was a descriptive, analytical, and cross-sectional study conducted from May to December 2018. The study enrolled CKD patients on dialysis or not followed at CNHU-HKM in Cotonou. Renal ultrasound was performed to locate cysts and uroscanner completed in the presence of atypical cysts. Through logistic regression, associated factors were determined. 
  Results: The sample size was 240 patients, of which 151 (62.9%) were receiving dialysis and 89 (37.1%) non-dialysis patients. Male subjects were predominant (sex ratio = 1.5). The average size of the right kidney, expressed in mm in patients on dialysis was: pole-to-pole length = 78.56; width = 42.06; cortical thickness = 11.80; and the left kidney: pole-to-pole length = 79.76; width = 41.53; cortical thickness = 12.6. For non-dialysis patients, the following size was recorded for the right kidney: pole-to-pole length = 92.35; width = 47.61; cortical thickness = 15.64; and left kidney: length = 92.13; width = 47.82; cortical thickness = 15.43. Predictive factors for the occurrence of acquired renal cysts were: old age (p = 0.0001), dialysis (p &lt; 0.001) and diabetic nephropathy (p = 0.0014). 
  Conclusion: CKD patients on dialysis have small kidneys and are more likely to develop acquired renal cysts. There is a need to carry out an annual ultrasound screening for native kidneys in patients receiving dialysis.
 
</p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Chronic Kidney Disease</kwd><kwd> Dialysis</kwd><kwd> Acquired Renal Cysts</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><sec id="s1"><title>1. Introduction</title><p>Given its silent nature, chronic kidney disease is often diagnosed at the end stage [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref1">1</xref>]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), End-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease (ESCKD) is currently the 12<sup>th</sup> leading cause of death and the 17<sup>th</sup> leading cause of morbidity in the world [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref2">2</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref3">3</xref>]. It has been declared a major public health priority in many countries due to a steady increase in its incidence, prevalence, and its medico-social and economic consequences [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref4">4</xref>]. In Africa, ESCKD accurate prevalence is poorly documented. In Ivory Coast, it accounts for 5.8% of patients admitted to hospitals, of which only 5% have access to replacement therapy [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref5">5</xref>].</p><p>The only way of managing end-stage chronic kidney disease (ESCKD) is either through dialysis or kidney transplant (KT) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref6">6</xref>]. In Benin, hemodialysis is the preferred treatment. In the long-run, patients on dialysis develop certain renal conditions including Acquired Cystic Kidney Disease (ACKD) and Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC). Thus, in 1970, ACKD was recognized as a long-term consequence of dialysis [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref7">7</xref>].</p><p>Cancer registries have consistently reported high frequency of urogenital cancer, particularly Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) in CKD patients because they present risk factors for cancer; acquired cystic kidney disease being a well-known example [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref8">8</xref>]. Autopsy studies conducted on patients on dialysis suggest 33% and 0.6% prevalence for ACKD and RCC respectively [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref9">9</xref>]. An international multi-center study proved that, during an average follow-up period of 2.5 years, 3% of patients developed cancer [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref10">10</xref>]. Current data in the literature indicate that most patients will develop acquired renal cystic conditions after 3 to 7 years of dialysis, with 1.6% to 7% cases being associated with RCC [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref11">11</xref>]. ACKD is not described only in patients undergoing dialysis, but also in CKD non-dialysis patients. Thus, Meola et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref12">12</xref>] reported in their study 8% - 22% ACKD prevalence in CKD patients before dialysis.</p><p>As kidney transplant is not practiced in Benin, hemodialysis duration is longer compared to other countries. In addition, the relatively long seniority (10 - 20 years) of some patients, the huge number of patients receiving dialysis, and the free dialysis service constitute an ideal ground for describing the anomalies on native kidney of patients receiving dialysis. No study on long-term CKD complications of native kidneys has been performed to date in Benin. Given these circumstances, this study was initiated.</p></sec><sec id="s2"><title>2. Objectives</title><p>➢ Main objective</p><p>To study native kidney morphometric and structural aspects in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis and non-dialysis patients.</p><p>➢ Specific objectives</p><p>1) Compare native kidney morphometric and structural aspects in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis to non-dialysis patients.</p><p>2) Identify the factors associated with the occurrence of acquired cystic kidney disease in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing dialysis.</p></sec><sec id="s3"><title>3. Study Framework and Methods</title><p>This study was carried out in the Nephrology and Hemodialysis University Hospital (CUNH) and the Ultrasound and CT ScanServices of the medical imaging center within Hubert Koutoukou MagaNational Teaching Hospital (CNHU-HKM) located in Littoral region, Benin.</p><p>It was a single-center, descriptive, analytical and cross-sectional study conducted over an 8-month period from May to December 2018.</p><p>The study population was made up of CKD patients followed at CNHU/HKM Nephrology and Hemodialysis University Department. They were divided into two groups:</p><p>- 1<sup>st</sup> group: comprising CKD patients receiving dialysis.</p><p>- 2<sup>nd</sup> group: comprising CKD non-dialysis patients.</p><p>The study enrolled all patients aged over 15 years, diagnosed with CKD (Glomerular Filtration Rate according to the simplified MDRD formula &lt; 60 ml/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup> for at least 3 months); receiving dialysis or not; followed at CNHU/HKM Nephrology and Hemodialysis University Department and having given their consent to participate in the study.</p><p>We excluded patients with known history of cystic kidney disease: autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease/autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, nephronophthisis, Joubert syndrome, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, Bourneville tuberous sclerosis, Von Hippel-Lindau disease, multicystic dysplastic kidney, unilateral cystic dystrophy. The same applies to patients on dialysis with renal cysts before receiving dialysis or subjects with solitary kidney.</p><p>Non-probability sampling was performed with a comprehensive survey of patients meeting our inclusion criteria.</p><p>The dependent variable was morphometric abnormalities in the kidney structure:</p><p>&#183; Kidney dimensions.</p><p>&#183; Presence of renal cysts.</p><p>The independent variables were as follows:</p><p>&#183; Socio-demographic variables: age; sex; profession.</p><p>&#183; Clinical variables in relation to the functional signs sought during the patient detailed interview (hematuria, lower back pain), personal health practices (tobacco); early kidney disease, medical history and Body Mass Index.</p><p>&#183; Paraclinical variables included uremia, creatinine level, uric acid level, GFR, CKD stage, complete blood count, blood serum ionogram, serum calcium level, serum phosphate level, blood serum protein level, cholesterolemia, triglyceridemia. Only uremia and serum creatinine were determined in non-dialysis patients. For patients on dialysis, all samples were collected at the start of dialysis session and blood glucose, urea and creatinine levels were determined once again at the end of dialysis session.</p><p>&#183; Variables in related to dialysis were: dialysis duration, frequency of dialysis, and percentage of urea reduction.</p><p>Patients meeting our criteria were seen individually. Interviews were carried out on dialysis days (for patients on dialysis) and during routine consultations (for non-dialysis patients). Each patient was interviewed, and then benefitted from a complete physical examination, lab tests and renal ultrasound. In addition, uroscan was performed for only dialysis patients with atypical cysts detected on ultrasound. Data was collected with a questionnaire designed for that purpose.</p><p>Ultrasound was performed with HITACHI EUB 5500 machine, by two different radiologists. The first is a radiologist with Advanced Degree in Medical Imaging and two years of experience in France prior to his recruitment at CNHU-HKM where he has been practicing for two years. The second was trained in France. The results were then confirmed by a radiologist, medical imaging professor.</p><p>SIEMENS SOMATOM Emotion 16 Barettes scanner was used. The renal cysts were detected through CT sections of the abdomen before and after intravenous injection of iodinated contrast. Having dismissed contraindications (iodine allergy), the iodine-based contrast was administered and all patients on dialysis received dialysis immediately after injection.</p><p>Patients participated in the study voluntarily and their identity was strictly protected. Each patient has given their informed consent. Data were entered with EPI-DATA software version 3.1. Data audit and analysis were performed with STATA/IC11.0 statistical software. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis helped to determine associated factors. The significance level was set at 5% and confidence intervals estimated at 95%.</p></sec><sec id="s4"><title>4. Results</title><sec id="s4_1"><title>4.1. General Characteristics of the Study Population</title><p>A total of 240 patients met our criteria. They are categorized as follows: 151 (62.9%) on dialysis and 89 (37.1%) non-dialysis.</p><p>The patients mean age was 49.22 &#177; 14.27 years with 17 and 95 as extreme values. Men represented 60.80% of the study population, i.e. 146, and women 39.20%, i.e. 94. Sex ratio was 1.5.</p><p>In the population made up of non-dialysis patients, 16 (18%) were at stage 3; 23 (25.8%) at stage 4 and 50 (56.2%) at stage 5 of CKD. Most patients on dialysis attended two weekly dialysis treatment sessions. <xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref> outlines the general</p><table-wrap id="table1" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref></label><caption><title> General characteristics of the study population</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" ></th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Values</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Mean age</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >49.2 &#177; 14.2 years</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Male</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >60.8%</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Hypertension</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >92.9%</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Diabetes milletus</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.0%</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Humain Immunod&#233;ficiency Virus</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.5%</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >viral Hepatitis B viral Hepatitis C</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.9% 5.0%</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Tabacco</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.3%</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Morbid obesity</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.3%</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Severe obesity</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.5%</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Moderate obesity</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.7%</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Overweight</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >16.3%</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Two hemodialysis sessions/week</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >96.7%</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Three hemodialysis sessions/week</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.3%</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Age on dialysis &lt; 3 years</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >45.0%</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Age on dialysis between [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref3">3</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref10">10</xref>] (years)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >42.4%</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Age on dialysis ≥ 10 years</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.6%</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Percentage of ureareduction &gt; 60%</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >84.1%</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p>characteristics of the sample.</p></sec><sec id="s4_2"><title>4.2. Native Kidney Morphometric and Structural Aspects in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Dialysis Compared to Non-Dialysis Patients</title><sec id="s4_2_1"><title>4.2.1. Morphometric Aspects</title><p>A statistically significant difference was established between the renal size of patients on dialysis and non-dialysis patients (p &lt; 0.001), regardless of the side of the kidney. <xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref> outlines renal size comparative mean values and standard deviations of patients on dialysis and non-dialysis patients.</p></sec><sec id="s4_2_2"><title>4.2.2. Structural Aspects</title><p>Almost all patients on dialysis (96.69%) had dedifferentiated kidneys. Out of 151 patients on dialysis, the frequency of hospital attendance as a result of acquired renal cysts was 58.94%. Moreover, 58.43% of them had simple cyst while atypical cysts accounted for 41.57%. <xref ref-type="table" rid="table3">Table 3</xref> outlines the distribution of patients on dialysis according to Bosniak classification. Bosniak type III is the most common. <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref> and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref> show the pictures.</p><p>The majority of non-dialysis patients (53.93%) had differentiated kidneys. Out of 89non-dialysis patients, 27 had renal cysts which account for 30.34% hospital frequency. Simple and atypical cysts accounted for 85.19% and 14.81% respectively.</p><table-wrap id="table2" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref></label><caption><title> Comparison of values mean and standard deviations of renal dimensions (in mm), number and size of cysts of hemodialysis patients with those of non-dialysis patients</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="2"  >Hemodialysis patients</th><th align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >RIGHT KIDNEY</th><th align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >LEFT KIDNEY</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Mean</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Standard deviation</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Mean</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Standard deviation</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Length Width Cortical thickness</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >78.56 42.06 11.80</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >14.96 9.93 3.63</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >79.76 41.53 12.67</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.89 9.49 2.90</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Number of cysts</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.85 1.01</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.02 1.07</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Size of cysts (mm)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >11.00 7.63</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >16.27 6.72</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Non-dialysis patients Length Width Cortical thickness</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >92.35 47.61 15.64</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.15 8.16 3.58</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >92.13 47.82 15.43</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.47 8.35 3.29</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Number of cysts</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.20 0.52</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.41 0.79</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Size of cysts (mm)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >19.0211.23</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.25 8.17</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><table-wrap id="table3" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table3">Table 3</xref></label><caption><title> Distribution of hemodialysis patients with atypical cysts according to the Bosniak classification</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="2"  ></th><th align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >RIGHT KIDNEY</th><th align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >LEFT KIDNEY</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Effective (n = 37)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Percentage (%)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Effective (n = 31)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Percentage (%)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Bosniak type I</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >10.8</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9.7</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Bosniak type II</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >8.1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.4</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Bosniak type IIF</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >10.8</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >16.2</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Bosniak type III</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >23</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >62.2</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >19</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >61.3</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Bosniak type IV</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >8.1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.4</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p>The average cyst size in patients on dialysis was 19.02 mm with extreme values of 8 and 36 mm on the right, while on the left, 15.25 mm was recorded with extreme values of 8 and 33 mm. For non-dialysis patients, the average cyst size was 11 mm with extreme values of 4 and 32 mm on the right, while on the left 16.27 mm was recorded with extreme values of 4 and 25 mm.</p><p>Patients on dialysis had a higher average number of cysts in the right and left kidneys than non-dialysis patients, respectively in the corresponding kidneys with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.006 on the right and p = 0.03 on the left). The average cyst size is higher in the left kidney of patients on dialysis than non-dialysis patients, however, the difference is insignificant (p = 0.7 on the left).</p></sec></sec><sec id="s4_3"><title>4.3. Factors Associated with Acquired Renal Cysts in Patients on Dialysis</title><p>In univariate analysis, age is associated with cysts in patients on dialysis (p = 0.005) and the risk of developing cysts increases with age. Diabetes (p = 0.019) and diabetic nephropathy (p = 0.017) are equally associated and appear to be protective factors. Furthermore, dialysis (p &lt; 0.001) and the seniority of dialysis (p &lt; 0.001) are associated. Patients on dialysis are more than 3 times likely to develop cysts on their native kidneys, and this risk increases with the seniority of dialysis. <xref ref-type="table" rid="table4">Table 4</xref> outlines the factors associated with renal cysts in univariate analysis.</p><p>Following multivariate analysis, 3 factors were found to be predictive for the occurrence of cysts in the study population. They included: old age (p = 0.0001), dialysis (p &lt; 0.001) and diabetic nephropathy (p = 0.0014) as shown in <xref ref-type="table" rid="table5">Table 5</xref>.</p></sec></sec><sec id="s5"><title>5. Discussion</title><sec id="s5_1"><title>5.1. Morphometric and Structural Aspects of Native Kidneys in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Dialysis Compared to Non-Dialysis Patients</title><sec id="s5_1_1"><title>5.1.1. Morphometric Aspects</title><p>This study revealed that the average pole-to-pole kidney length in patients on</p><table-wrap id="table4" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table4">Table 4</xref></label><caption><title> Associated factors with renal cysts in hemodialysis patients in univariate analysis</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" ></th><th align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="3"  >Cysts n (%)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >No cysts n (%)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >RC [IC-95%]</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >P</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Age</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="3"  ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >&lt;40 [40 - 50] [50 - 60] ≥60</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="3"  >14 (35.9) 29 (60.4) 32 (71.1) 14 (73.7)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >25 (64.1) 19 (39.6) 13 (28.9) 5 (26.32)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1 2.72 [1.13 - 6.52] 4.39 [1.75 - 11.01] 4.99 [1.48 - 16.81]</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.005</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="4"  >Diabetes milletus</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="3"  >No</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >83 (62.4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >50 (37.6)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="2"  >0.019</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="3"  >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6 (33.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12 (66.7)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.30 [0.11 - 0.85]</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="4"  >Diabetic nephropathy</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >No</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >84 (62.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >51 (37.8)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="2"  >0.017</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >5 (31.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >11 (68.7)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.27 [0.09 - 0.84]</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="4"  >Hemodialysis</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >No</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="3"  >27 (30.34)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >62 (69.66)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="2"  >&lt;0.001</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="3"  >89 (58.94)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >62 (41.06)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.29 [1.89 - 5.74]</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="4"  >Seniority in dialysis (years)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >&lt;3</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="3"  >24 (35.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >44 (64.7)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="3"  >&lt;0.001</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >[3 - 10]</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="3"  >47 (73.4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >17 (26.6)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.06 [2.40 - 10.67]</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >≥10</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="3"  >18 (94.7)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1 (5.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >33 [4.14 - 262.61]</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><table-wrap id="table5" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table5">Table 5</xref></label><caption><title> Pr&#233;dictive factors of the occurrence of renal cysts in hemodialysis patients</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" ></th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Cysts n (%)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >OR raw [CI (95%)]</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >OR adjusted [CI (95%)]</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Value p</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Age (years)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.0001</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >&lt;40</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >14 (35.9)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >[40 - 50]</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >29 (60.4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.72 [1.13 - 6.52]</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.36 [1.08 - 5.11]</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >[50 - 60]</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >32 (71.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.39 [1.75 - 11.01]</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.96 [2.17 - 11.33]</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >≥60</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >14 (73.7)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.99 [1.48 - 16.81]</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.68 [2.25 - 14.32]</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Hemodialysis</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >&lt;0.001</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >No</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >27 (30.34)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >89 (58.94)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.29 [1.89 - 5.74]</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.05 [2.12 - 7.75]</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Diabetic nephropathy</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.0014</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >No</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >84 (62.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5 (31.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.27 [0.09 - 0.84]</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.24 [0.10 - 0.60]</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p>OR = Odds Ratio; RC ajusted = ajusted fordialysis, age; diabetic nephropathy; Value p khi-carr&#233; of Wald; IC (95%) = Confidence interval at 95%.</p><p>dialysis was 78.56 &#177; 14.96 mm and 79.76 &#177; 15.89 mm for the right kidney (RK) and left kidney (LK) respectively. These sizes were similar to those recorded by Agboton et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref13">13</xref>] in 2015 in Benin, which were 76.7 &#177; 22 mm on the right and 76.9 &#177; 2 mm on the left respectively.</p><p>The average renal width in this study (RK = 42.06 &#177; 9.93 mm; LK = 41.53 &#177; 9.49 mm) was greater than the size recorded by Agboton et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref13">13</xref>] in his study (RK = 30.2 &#177; 11.5 mm; LK = 29.1 &#177; 10.2 mm). This difference could be related to the exclusion of patients with diabetic nephropathy in Agboton et al. sample [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref13">13</xref>].</p><p>As for cortical thickness, the measured values in this study (RK = 11.80 mm; LK = 12.67 mm) were also greater than the figures reported by Agboton et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref13">13</xref>] (RK = 8.5 mm; LK = 8.6 mm). Our values exceeded those of Beland et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref14">14</xref>] (RK = 5.9 mm; LK = 5.9 mm). These authors underlined the existence of a strong correlation between cortical thickness values and the progress of nephropathy. According to Agboton et al., cortical thickness thinning remains the most reliable index for assessing chronic kidney disease [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref13">13</xref>].</p><p>The pole-to-pole kidney length recorded in CKD non-dialysis patients varied between 59 - 130 mm and 59 - 132 mm for the right and left kidney respectively. These sizes match with those of Ahoui et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref15">15</xref>] who reported 58 - 119 mm and 60 - 120 mm for the right and left kidney respectively. The average pole-to-pole kidney length in our study was 92.35 mm and 92.13 mm for the right and left kidney respectively. These values are close to those presented by Makusidi et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref16">16</xref>] who recorded 91.1 &#177; 10.6 mm and 92.3 &#177; 10.7 mm respectively. Savi de Tove et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref1">1</xref>] reported 84.83 mm as average pole-to-pole kidney length, which is lower than the value recorded in this study.</p><p>The renal width measured in this study (RK = 24 - 77 mm; LK = 27 - 87 mm) was close to the size recorded by Ahoui et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref15">15</xref>] in northern Benin (RK = 25 - 69 mm; LK = 26 - 67 mm). In Serbia, Jovanović et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref17">17</xref>] reported mean values estimated at 47 &#177; 8 mm and 47.8 &#177; 10.3 mm for the right and left kidney respectively.</p><p>The average cortical thickness values measured in this study were 15.64 &#177; 3.58 mm and 15.43 &#177; 3.29 mm on the right and left respectively. These values are significantly higher than those recorded by Beland et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref14">14</xref>] in Island and Moghazi et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref18">18</xref>] in the United States, who reported 5.9 mm and 8.3 mm respectively as a mean cortical thickness.</p><p>The average values of all renal parameters (mm) measured on ultrasound were respectively greater in non-dialysis patients than patients on dialysis. Renal hypotrophy, much more prevalent in end-stage chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis may be due to the seniority of impaired renal function.</p></sec><sec id="s5_1_2"><title>5.1.2. Structural Aspects</title><p>• Corticomedullary differentiation</p><p>In the present series, 46.07% of CKD non-dialysis patients had dedifferentiated kidneys, while almost all i.e. 96.69% of patients on dialysis had dedifferentiated kidneys. Savi de Tove et al. reported that 52 out of 53 chronic kidney disease patients, i.e. 98.1%, had hyperechoic dedifferentiated kidneys [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref1">1</xref>].</p><p>• Acquired renal cysts prevalence</p><p>In this study, acquired renal cysts prevalence was 58.94% in the population on dialysis and 30.34% in non-dialysis patients. Several other authors reported the same higher prevalence in patients on dialysis than non-dialysis patients. In the United States, Matson et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref19">19</xref>] reported in their study that acquired renal cysts prevalence was less than 7% before dialysis, however, it could reach 80% in patients having received dialysis for 10 years. M&#233;ola et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref12">12</xref>] in Italy, also asserted that this prevalence was approximately 8% to 22% in CKD non-dialysis patients and could reach 100% in subjects having received dialysis for over 10 years.</p><p>In Japan. Kojima et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref20">20</xref>] reported 81.8% as acquired renal cysts prevalence in patients on dialysis; which is significantly higher than the figure recorded in this study. Denton et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref9">9</xref>] in the United States and Gnionsahe et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref21">21</xref>] in Ivory Coast published 33% and 31% respectively as the prevalence in chronic dialysis patients.</p><p>ACKD prevalence in patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) varies between 30% and 90%, depending on the type of investigation: autopsy, ultrasound, CT scan, clinical investigations [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref9">9</xref>].</p><p>• Number and size of cysts</p><p>The cysts reported in this study were more in patients on dialysis than non-dialysis patients, regardless of the side of the kidney. This finding is consistent with the observation made by several other authors who described acquired renal cysts as a “multiple small bilateral cysts” [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref12">12</xref>]. Correas et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref22">22</xref>] concluded that the size of acquired renal cysts developed by patients on dialysis was less than 20 mm. Rahbari-Oskoui et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref23">23</xref>] also described acquired renal cysts as “multiple small bilateral cysts”. On the other hand, Mensel et al. reported 15mm as the size in male patients in the general population, and 1.8 as the average number of renal cysts [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref24">24</xref>].</p><p>• Types of cysts</p><p>Per renal ultrasound revealed in patients on dialysis that, simple cysts were predominantly represented (58.43%) compared to atypical cysts (41.57%). The rates of type III and IV (represented by <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref> and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>) in this study are alarmingly higher than those of Schwarz et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref25">25</xref>] in Germany who reported 8.2% frequency for types IIF and III, while type IV was estimated at 1.5%. It’s worth noting that these authors conducted their study on a particular population: patients on dialysis who received kidney transplant.</p></sec></sec><sec id="s5_2"><title>5.2. Factors Associated with Acquired Renal Cystsin Patients on Dialysis</title><p>A statistically significant relationship was established between the age of patients on dialysis and the occurrence of acquired renal cysts (p = 0.005). Older patients are more likely to develop cysts. Several authors such as Scandling [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref26">26</xref>] and Schwarz et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref25">25</xref>] have also pointed out old age as a factor associated with acquired renal cysts occurrence in patients on dialysis. However, other researchers reported data which provided contradictory evidence in relation to this study. That is the case of Nahm et al. who did not observe a correlation between age and acquired renal cysts occurrence [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref27">27</xref>]. In this study, old age appears to be a predictor of acquired renal cysts occurrence in patients on dialysis.</p><p>A statistically significant association was established between acquired renal cyst occurrence and diabetes (p = 0.019). Diabetes had a protective effect on renal cysts occurrence in patients on dialysis. Unlike data reported in this study, Schwarz et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref25">25</xref>] did not observe any statistically significant relationship between diabetes and acquired renal cysts occurrence.</p><p>A statistically significant relationship was established between diabetic nephropathy and acquired renal cysts occurrence (p = 0.017). Diabetic nephropathy had a beneficial effect on cysts occurrence (OR = 0.27 [0.09 - 0.84]). Other authors reported low prevalence of cysts in patients with diabetic nephropathy [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref28">28</xref>].</p><p>In this study, dialysis is associated with acquired renal cysts occurrence (p &lt; 0.001). Although not a causal factor, dialysis appears to be a factor which is associated with the occurrence of acquired renal cysts. It is equally considered as a predictive factor in the genesis of acquired renal cysts.</p><p>In the present study, 73.4% of patients with 3 to 9 years of dialysis and 94.7% of subjects with at least 10 years of dialysis developed acquired renal cysts. These patients were respectively 5.06 and 33 times more likely to develop acquired renal cysts than patients with less than 3 years of dialysis. The current literature also indicates that many patients will develop acquired renal cysts after 3 to 7 years of dialysis [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref11">11</xref>]. Matson et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref13">13</xref>] also report that after 3 to 5 years on dialysis, 50% of patients develop acquired renal cysts. According to Farivar-Mohseni et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref29">29</xref>], the major predisposing factor to ACKD is the prolonged duration of dialysis; actually, the disease occurs in 40% to 60% of patients with 3 to 5 years of dialysis and 90% of subjects with 5 to 10 years or more. For Truong et al., ACKD occurs in 13% - 50% and 87% respectively after 2.6 and 9 years of dialysis and 100% of patients after 10 years [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.104348-ref30">30</xref>].</p></sec></sec><sec id="s6"><title>6. Conclusions</title><p>CKD patients on dialysis have smaller kidneys than non-dialysis patients. They develop multiple kidney cysts. Acquired renal cysts are more widespread in patients on dialysis than non-dialysis patients regardless of the side of the kidney, while cyst size seems to be smaller in patients on dialysis. Atypical cysts are less common than simple cysts. It is worth noting the predominance of type III cysts in atypical cysts according to Bosniak classification.</p><p>Predictive factors for acquired renal cysts occurrence were: old age, dialysis and diabetic nephropathy. It is important to organize an annual follow-up of native kidneys in hemodialysis patients.</p></sec><sec id="s7"><title>Conflict of Interest Declaration</title><p>The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.</p></sec><sec id="s8"><title>Cite this paper</title><p>Vigan, J., Yekpe, P.A., Adjanohoun, S., Ahoui, S., Agboton, B.L., SM, H.K. and Biaou, O. (2020) Morphological and Structural Study of Native Kidneys in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Dialysis Compared to Non-Dialysis Patients. 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