Chronic kidney disease and its health-related factors: A case control study

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health burden, affecting 843.6 million people ( 2017). Diabetes and hypertension are prevalent risk factors  linked to CKD, in areas in demographic transition, like Kerala, India. Objectives: This study examined the relationship between CKD and specific health factors, including diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism, urinary tract infections (UTIs), family history of kidney disease, and cardiovascular diseases. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted at Pushpagiri Medical College Hospital, Kerala, India, from October 2023 to March 2024. The study included data collected from medical records of 100 CKD cases (GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m²) and 100 controls without CKD,  analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Univariate analysis revealed significant associations between CKD and history of diabetes (χ²= 15.126, p<0.01), hypertension (χ²= 31.202,p<0.01), cardiovascular disease (χ²= 17.195,p<0.01), and family history of kidney disease (χ²= 8.791,p<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression showed that while the association between CKD and diabetes was insignificant (Odd’s Ratio (OR)=1.668, CI: 0.832-3.344, p=0.149), significant associations were observed for hypertension (OR=5.255, CI: 2.512-10.993, p<0.01), cardiovascular disease (OR=2.336, CI: 1.112-4.909, p=0.025), and family history of kidney disease (OR=7.359, CI: 1.902-28.476, p=0.004).  Conclusion: The study concluded diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and family history of kidney disease are risk factors for CKD in South Kerala, emphasizing the need for targeted public health interventions.