The outcome of Patients on Hemodialysis at University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) in a Period of September 2014 to March 2017 - A Retrospective Study on Patients with Acute and Chronic Renal Failure

Background: Kidney dysfunction is both a national and international problem. Its incidence is increasing in the general population, mostly due to the high prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and the long-term consequences of acute kidney injury. The incidence and prevalence of kidney dysfunction necessitating dialysis are unknown in Rwanda as studies are lacking.
Methodology: This study describes the outcomes of the patients who received hemodialysis at CHUK. Data was retrospectively collected and statistically analyzed for 152 patients treated in the hemodialysis unit at CHUK between September 2014 and March 2017.
Results: The results have shown that 51.3% and 48.7% of the population being studied were identified to have acute kidney injury and chronic kidney failure respectively. The main risk factors for hemodialysis treatment were hypertension (48%), diabetes mellitus (46.7%), eclampsia (13.2%), and volume deficit (15.8%). Hyperkalemia, pulmonary edema, encephalopathy, and other uremic symptoms were present in 39-43% of patients and were the most common indications for hemodialysis. Encephalopathy and poor oxygen saturation were independent risk factors for death. 20.6% could not afford the usual provision of three sessions of hemodialysis per week and therefore didn’t receive dialysis as frequently as recommended. Forty-five patients (20.6%) could not afford the usual provision of three sessions of hemodialysis per week and received less frequent dialysis.
Conclusion: There is high mortality in patients referred for hemodialysis in CHUK. Almost half of the patients have chronic renal failure and require permanent renal replacement therapy. Many patients limit therapy due to financial reasons.

Keywords
Hemodialysis; Kidney dysfunction; Acute kidney injury; Chronic Kidney Injury