Higher prevalence of nephropathy in young Roma females compared with non-Roma females.
OBJECTIVE
Ethnic differences in the prevalence of various chronic diseases, including end-stage renal disease, have been previously reported. Surprisingly, data focusing on the lower grade of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore differences in the prevalence of nephropathy between the Roma and non-Roma populations.


METHODS
Data from the cross-sectional population based HepaMeta study conducted in Slovakia were used. Nephropathy was defined as: a known history of any kidney disease; or the presence of proteinuria/hematuria; or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 ml/min. The odds ratio for the prevalence of nephropathy was calculated using binary logistic regression.


RESULTS
In an age-adjusted model, Roma females had OR of 1.56 for having nephropathy over non-Roma females (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.01-2.42; p < 0.05). In addition, Roma females had a significantly lower GFR (mean difference 3.4 ml/min, t = -3.58, p < 0.001); all female patients with proteinuria were Roma.


CONCLUSIONS
This cross-sectional study on the young general population found that Roma females have half-higher odds for nephropathy than non-Roma females. Therefore, to prevent risks we should focus on searching for ethnic, social and medical determinants of CKD. Interventions to decrease the incidence of CKD in the target population should also address ethnic inequalities as well as female gender.
Jaroslav
J
Rosenberger
Mária
M
Majerníková
Peter
P
Jarcuska
Daniel
D
Pella
Mária
M
Mareková
Andrea Madarasová
AM
Gecková
Monika
M
Halánová
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D006178:Romani People / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018154:Slovakia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult