The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy in adult patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus attending Parirenyatwa Diabetic Clinic, Harare.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy in a diabetic clinic in a tertiary hospital setting in Zimbabwe.


METHODS
Descriptive cross sectional study.


METHODS
Diabetic clinic in a tertiary hospital.


METHODS
75 insulin dependent diabetic consenting adults aged over 18 years.


METHODS
Consecutive sampling of 75 insulin dependent consenting subjects presenting at the Parirenyatwa Diabetic Clinic was conducted over a four month period. Patients were tested for proteinuria using dipsticks and were divided into dipstick positive and dipstick negative. The dipstick positive samples were sent to the laboratory for protein quantification. The dipstick negative samples were tested for microalbuminuria. Urine albumin creatinine ratios were utilised to quantify the proteinuria.


METHODS
Prevalence of overt proteinuria and the prevalence of microalbuminuria.


RESULTS
Overt proteinuria was found in 16 (21%) patients. Microalbuminuria was found in 9 (12%) of the patients. Nephropathy was, therefore, found in 25 (33%).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high prevalence of diabetic nephropathy in adult patients with insulin dependent diabetis mellitus attending Parirenyatwa Diabetic Clinic.
Mafundikwa
A
A
Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Ndhlovu
C E
CE
Gomo
Zar
Z
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine*; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology
D011934:Reagent Strips