Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) represents a significant health challenge in the world population; in both developed and developing countries [1] [2] [3]. At the dialysis stage, it constitutes a real socio-health cost for national health systems. Its prevalence varies greatly from one region to another [2] [3] [4]. It has affected 10% - 15% of the world’s adult population [5] [6]. In Africa, this prevalence is between 30 and 186.5 per million population [7] [8].

Due to its progressive silent evolution, and its etiologies, dominated by arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus; CKD is often mistakenly thought of as a disease of the elderly.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, where the population is mainly made up of young adults [8], the place of CKD among young Sub-Saharan adults remains imprecise due to the lack of scientific data.

In the Republic of Congo, specifically in Brazzaville, there is very little epidemiological data on the CKD; those produced relate exclusively to chronic renal failure at all ages [9] [10]. A study is therefore necessary while placing particular emphasis on the under 50 age group. So we carried out our work with the objectives of: determining the frequency of CKD in adults under 50, describing the socio-demographic, clinical and biological characteristics; identify the etiologies and factors associated with death.

Despite the youth of the Sub-Saharan African population, reported by the literature [8], we did not find any studies on CKD carried out exclusively in young adults under the age of 50. We compared our results with those of other studies on CKD at all ages but also with the interval of patients under 50 years if it was mentioned.

In our study, the CKD represented more than half of hospitalizations in the nephrology department of UHB (59.3%); of which 35.6% were under 50 years old. CKD is therefore common in the latter. Our data join those of Ngoie S.M et al., in Lubumbashi, in 2015 who found a prevalence of 38.3% of CKD among those under 50 years old in the only functional unit of nephrology and dialysis in their city [11].

However, our frequency, which is admittedly high, is lower than that found by Keylem et al., in 2015, in Ouagadougou (69.6%) [12]. Sumaili et al. in Kinshasa, in 2009, found a frequency of 89.1% in patients aged 20 to 59 years, of which 58.1% in the 20 to 39 year age group [13]. CKD is a reality among young people in Africa. The fact that our monocentric work took place in an intra-hospital ward could explain the frequency, admittedly high, but very far from that found by Sumaili et al. [13], where the data were multicentric. However, our data as well as those of Ngoie S.M in Lubumbashi remain far from those of Keylem in Ouagadougou, a single-center study carried out over a period of six months [12]. CKD among those under 50 in Brazzaville is less frequent compared to a country in West Africa. However, these results were inconsistent with those found in developed countries. In fact, in the United States and France, the prevalence of CKD was largely under-represented among those under 50 years of age with respective prevalence of 10.8% and 7.6% [3] [5]. This could be explained by the phenomenon of aging of the larger general population in developed countries, which is a consequence of improving health systems in the West.

We observed a male predominance (55.97%). This predominance of the male sex in CKD is reported by several studies [9] [11] [12] [13]. These data are consistent with those of Sumaili EK. In Kinshasa [13], the high frequency of CKD in humans is explained by its rapid progression in this area [1] [3]. Our data conflict with that of Ahoui et al. in 2014 in Benin, which reported 51.26% of women (n = 651), i.e. a female/male sex ratio of 0.95 [4].

Socio-economic level is recognized as a key environmental social factor because it has implications for access to resources that help individuals take care of themselves and others. Few studies have examined the association of socioeconomic level with CKD. One hundred and eighty-two patients (74.9%) had a low socioeconomic level compared to only six (2.4%) who were found in the high social class. The privileged reach of this socio-economic group could be explained by their frequent use of prohibited drugs from the parallel market and herbal medicine. But, also by the lack of medical follow-up of chronic diseases such as hypertension, this lack of money. Cruz et al. [14] find the existence of an inverse correlation between CKD, low education and low income. Our results agree with those of Ramilitiana et al. in 2009, in Antananarivo, in Madagascar who mentioned 65.6% of patients with a low socioeconomic level [15]. However, they differ from those of Houat Noria who reports in a study on the CKD in Algeria in 2014, 25% for the high socioeconomic level, 70% for the average socioeconomic level and only 5% for the low socioeconomic level [16]. The specified fast age of our sample did not eliminate the predominance of the lower socioeconomic class in the CKD but rather accentuated it, since Sumaili in Kinshasa; Ramilitiana in Antananarivo have certainly found high frequencies of low socio-economic level but at values lower than ours [13] [15].

In our study a history of high blood pressure was found in 49.2% of patients. This high prevalence of hypertension is noted in all African studies [2] [4] [9] [13]; it is probable the result of changes in environmental and behavioral determinants such as the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, lack of physical activity, an inadequate diet and obesity as well as prolonged periods of exposure to these determinants, but also due to renal fibrosis responsible for hypereninism [5] [6]. The fight against CKD would begin by ensuring proper prevention of cardiovascular risk factors, especially hypertension, and their adequate management. Hypertension is an important cardiovascular risk factor and therefore an important renal risk factor. Indeed, it is the leading cause of CKD in Sub-Saharan Africa and is an important factor in the progression of CKD [2] [4] [13] [15]. However, by comparing our data with those in the literature, its frequency is lower in children under 50 than in patients with CKD in general since less than half of our patients were hypertensive; while other studies of all ages report more than half of hypertension in CKD [9] [12].

Diabetes was the second antecedent found in 18.6% of patients. This prevalence of diabetes varies greatly from country to country and is also influenced by dietary and behavioral factors.

The mean serum creatinine clearance was 13.7 ± 26.2 ml/min/1.73m². It was lower than that noted in Dakar by Ebata which was 19.95 ml/min/1.73m² [17]. A prevalence of 97.67% of chronic kidney failure was noted in our study. This rate is similar to that found in Dakar (97.8%) [17].

Due to its silent nature and the lack of awareness of kidney disease by the African population in general and by health personnel in particular, CKD is most often found at the end stage [9] [12] [13]. Thus all the African data reveal a high frequency of CKD at the terminal stage [12] [13]. At stage 5 of CKD, Sumaili et al. found a frequency of 78%, Keylem et al. 75.3% [12] [13]. These 2 studies are carried out at all ages. Our study limited to patients under 50 years old confirms this African trend since 82.72% of CKD are at the end stage. The young age of less than 50 years does not change this tendency of stage 5 predominance.

In stage I where the CKD may be asymptomatic with normal renal function; only 3.7% of patients (n = 9) were found in our study. Sumaili et al. found 2% (n = 7) [13]; Keylem found 1.5% [12]. These data confirm the silent evolution of CKD, as well as its ignorance and lack of routine health check-ups. The deficit of nephrologists, often forcing patients to travel long distances for a specialist consultation could also be responsible for the late diagnosis. In the West, where health coverage is almost complete and the number of nephrologists larger, studies show results totally opposite to ours [3] [5].

The causes of CKD are diverse. The search for these requires a deep anamnestic investigation. This etiological research is not only limited to the clinic but also largely involves biological examinations, particularly immunology and histology after performing a renal puncture biopsy (RPB); this is when the stage of fibrosis suspected clinically and on renal ultrasound is not reached. Renal histology occupies an important place in the etiological diagnosis of CKD [1] [3]. Indicated in 13 of our patients (5.3%), the frequency of indications for RPB was low in our sample. Renal puncture biopsy has not been performed in more than 3/4 of the patients who required it. These results could be explained by the weakness of our technical platform. In fact, the nephrology department of UHB does not have ultrasound machines or RPB guns. In addition, the many stains specific to renal histology and immunofluorescence are not available in our pathology laboratory. To the limits of the technical platform, we associate the high prevalence of stage 5 of CKD (55.1%), a practical contraindication to performing a RPB. All these data reflect the high number of undetermined nephropathies (55.1%). By comparing our data with those of the African literature, we also found a low frequency of performing RPB: Sumaili et al. in Kinshasa (DRC) performed a RPB en 13.1% of the patients collected in their study population [13]. In Togo, Amekoudi etal., found no RPB performed in their patients due to lack of technical platform [18].

Hypertensive nephropathy was the leading cause of CKD (15.6%), followed by HIV-related nephropathy (13.6%) and diabetic nephropathy (13.2%). Hypertension has been described in the literature as the leading cause of CKD in black people [5] [14]. Sumaili et al. found a predominance of nephroangiosclerosis in the order of (26.9%) [13]; Keylem et al. found 63.8% [12]. The main cause of CKD in those under 50 is hypertension, contrasting with the study by DT Eyeni et al., carried out in the same department at all ages where the aetiologies were dominated by diabetes mellitus [9].

While hypertension and diabetes mellitus have been presented in all African studies as the top two causes of CKD at any age [4] [9] [13] [19]; our study limiting the age of patients to less than 50 years has particularly reversed this trend by putting HIV-related nephropathies in second place. Indeed, the HIV pandemic remains a topical issue with Africa as the most affected continent and young people as the most affected [20].

Segmental and focal hyalinosis was diagnosed in the two patients who had biopsy performed abroad. It is the primary cause of primary glomerulopathies in black subjects as reported by Segmental and focal hyalinosis, is reported by Sumaili et al. [13].

Treatment for CKD depends on the etiology. At stage 5, management is based on dialysis while waiting for a kidney transplant. The latter remains the treatment par excellence for stage 5 of CKD [21] [22]. In our study, the prevalence of stage 5 being high, there are therefore many indications for dialysis (n = 201 or 82.7%). However, the rate of accessibility to dialysis was low (25.3% of dialysis indications). This poor accessibility is explained on the one hand by the absence of a public dialysis center in Brazzaville [9], and on the other hand by the high cost of a hemodialysis session in private centers [9] [13]. Our data join those of other African countries where access to dialysis is also difficult, particularly in Madagascar where only 1.2% of stage 5 patients have access to dialysis [15]. Kidney transplantation remains almost non-existent in Sub-Saharan Africa; with the exception of Abidjan, where the first kidney transplants in a country in Black Africa were performed in 2012 [23]. As in Kinshasa [13] and Ouagadougou [12], in our study renal transplantation was not performed in any patient.

The death rate from CKD was high in our study (27.1%). The high prevalence of terminal CKD and the difficulties in accession replacement dialysis treatment could explain these results. Our data match those of: Keylem et al. in Ouagadougou (15 deaths or 21.7%) [12].

The main cause of death found was severe acidosis, again reflecting the predominance of stage 5 in our sample.

Among the risk factors for death are: anemia, uremic encephalopathy, actute pulmonary edema reflecting severe acidosis (p-value < 0.05). All these found risk factors for death are related to the severity of renal failure, thus reflecting delayed diagnosis of CKD but also difficult access to dialysis. Our results coincide with those of: Keylem et al. had found almost the same risk factors for death [12].

Otherwise, HIV infection also found as a risk factor for death; is considered a chronic systemic disease and can lead to many complications, including kidney damage. Since 2005, international companies (National Kidney Foundation) have recommended screening for kidney disease in all HIV-infected patients, the association of CRD with this is considered a factor of poor prognosis [24].

In assessing the extent of CKD in our study population, we were not spared from constraints. Indeed, the absence of certain medical files or certain key information made it impossible to use the data before 2016, thus justifying the small size of our sample. Also, the weakness of our technical platform was an obstacle to obtaining histological data, renal biopsies not being performed in our department during this study period. In addition, a prospective study would provide more details on the results.

The CKD of the young subject represents a concern in nephrology in Brazzaville because of its high frequency. The pathology concerns more the male sex and the patients consult the nephrology department late at stage 5 of the MRC. The predominant risk factors are represented by hypertension, HIV, diabetes mellitus and heart disease. Dialysis is indicated in the majority of cases but the rate of access to dialysis is low, due to the lack of a hemodialysis unit in public hospitals in Brazzaville, responsible for a high death rate. The prevention of cardiovascular risk factors and HIV is essential in our context, as it is the improvement of the technical platform.

All the authors mentioned have made their mark on the completion of this article.

The author declares no conflict of interest.

Sinomono, D.T.E., Sedan, G.N.-O., Mahoungou, G.H., Ngabe, E.P.G., Loumingou, R.M., Ellenga-Mbolla, B., Arrayhani, M. and Houssain, T.S. (2021) Epidemiological Clinical Profile of Chronic Kidney Disease in Adults under 50 at the University Hospital of Brazzaville. Open Journal of Nephrology, 11, 358-369. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojneph.2021.113029