Characterization of patients with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease nowadays reaches figures considered endemic, with an increase in the number of deaths of up to 82% worldwide. In Guatemala there are currently few records on chronic kidney disease. A retrospective descriptive study of 214 patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease was conducted at the National Hospital of Chiquimula, characterizing them in their clinical, laboratory and echographic findings. The most frequent age group was 58 to 71 years old, but with a large percentage of young patients and predominantly female. It was determined as the main clinical manifestations of edema and arterial hypertension. Diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension were the two main comorbidities present at the time of diagnosis. The main laboratory findings found are electrolyte alterations, anemia, as well as elevation of creatinine in the majority of patients. The most frequent echographic data were decreased renal volume (small kidneys), increased echogenicity, decreased cortical thickness and loss of the corticomedullary relationship. It was found that the main problem with CKD is late diagnosis, since the majority of patients were diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease, in which the decrease in renal function is irreversible