Is renal medullary carcinoma the seventh nephropathy in sickle cell disease? A multi-center Nigerian survey.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies had enlisted renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) as the seventh nephropathy in sickle cell disease (SCD). Clinical experience has contradicted this claim and this study is targeted at refuting or supporting this assumption.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of RMC and describe other renal complications in SCD.


METHODS
14 physicians (haematologists and urologists) in 11 tertiary institutions across the country were collated from patients' case notes and hospital SCD registers.


RESULTS
Of the 3,596 registered sickle patients, 2 (0.056%) had been diagnosed with RMC over a ten year period, thereby giving an estimated prevalence rate of 5.6 per 100,000. The most common renal complication reported by the attending physicians was chronic kidney disease (CKD). The frequency of routine renal screening for SCD patients varied widely between centres - most were done at diagnosis, annually or bi-annually.


CONCLUSIONS
The ten year prevalence of RMC in Nigerian SCD patients was determined to be 5.6 (estimated incidence of 0.56). RMC is not more common in SCD patients and therefore cannot be regarded as a "Seventh Sickle nephropathy". Most of the managing physicians reported that the commonest nephropathy observed in their SCD patients was chronic kidney disease.
University of Nigeria, Haematology & Immunology; university of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Haematology & Immunology.
Madu
M
Anazoeze
Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Haematology.
Galadincci
G
Najibah
Federal Medical Center, Haematology.
Umar
U
Garba
Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Paediatrics.
Abdulahi
A
Shehu
University College Hospital, Ibadan, Department of Haematology.
Fowodu
F
Florence
Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Haematology.
Hassan
H
Abdulaziz
University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Department of Haematology.
Inyama
I
Marcus
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Haematology.
Akinpelu
A
Oluwaseun
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Nwagha
N
Theresa
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Ibegbulam
I
Obike
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Ocheni
O
Sunday
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Emodi
E
Ifeoma
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Ikefuna
I
Anthony
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Chukwu
C
Barth
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Haematology.
Okocha
O
Chide
Federal Medical Center, Haematology.
Orkuma
O
Joseph
Federal Medical Center, Haematology.
Iheanacho
I
Malachy
University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, Department of Haematology.
Korubo
K
Kaladada
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Anike
A
Uche
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Agu
A
Kingsley
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Nonyelu
N
Charles
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Ugwu
U
Angela
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Duru
D
Augustin
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Anigbo
A
Chikwudi
Federal Medical Center, Haematology.
Eze
E
Alozie
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Ololo
O
Uchenna
University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Haematology.
Omoti
O
Caroline
Federal Medical Center, Haematology.
Agwu
A
Obineche
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Okpala
O
Iheanyi
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D018276:Carcinoma, Medullary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016019:Survival Analysis
Nigerian survey; Renal medullary carcinoma; seventh nephropathy; sickle cell disease