High prevalence of kidney disease in two rural communities in Kosovo and Metohia

Abstract

A systematic survey was carried out in an enclave in Kosovo and Metohia, with the aim of assessing the prevalence of kidney diseases. The survey involved 423 (180 males) adult inhabitants from two small settlements, Velika Hoča and Orahovac, and included an interview, medical documentation, physical, ultrasound, and laboratory examinations. Persons with any detected disorder indicating kidney disease were invited for additional examination of kidney function. Using urine dipstick test, proteinuria was detected in 19.1% and hemoglobinuria in 4.5% of the examined subjects. Glomerular filtration rate (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula) below 60 mL/min/1.73 m² was found in 5.2% of subjects. Kidney ultrasound examination detected reduced length of right and left kidneys in 38 and 24 persons, respectively. Cysts were also a frequent finding, but polycystic kidney, hydronephrosis, and kidney stones were found in about 2% each. The analysis of data obtained by the present examination and available medical documentation revealed kidney and urinary tract diseases in 98 persons: 52 patients with already known disease and 46 patients detected in the survey. Out of them in 22 patients diagnosis of kidney disease could not be established during the survey but laboratory analyses indicated that they might suffer from tubulointerstitial disease: 14 had tubular dysfunctions, 8 of them low-grade proteinuria, and 12 had a positive family history for kidney disease. In the enclave of Velika Hoča and Orahovac the prevalence of kidney disease was 7.0% indicating that these communities might be placed among those with a high prevalence of kidney disease in Serbia.

Keywords:

• kidney disease prevalence
• rural settlements
• Kosovo and Metohia

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science of Serbia, contract No. 145043.

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.