Prevalence of chronic kidney disease among elderly patients in North-Eastern Region of Romania: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Analysis

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease among elderly patients in North-Eastern Region of Romania: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Analysis

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health concern that affects over 10% of the general population, representing a burgeoning public health challenge characterized by substantial morbidity, mortality, and escalating healthcare expenditures. Cardiovascular disease emerges as the primary cause of mortality in CKD patients, contributing to 40-50% of all CKD-related fatalities, as opposed to 26% in individuals with normal renal function. In Romania, data pertaining to the incidence and prevalence of CKD are scant, with an even more limited understanding of the elderly demographic.

This study employs a descriptive cross-sectional retrospective approach, drawing data from the Geriatrics and Gerontology Clinic at Hospital "Dr. C.I. Parhon" in Iasi, Romania, with due ethical consents. The study assesses the average age, hemoglobin levels, total cholesterol, total protein levels, mean glucose levels, renal function through creatinine measurements, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) computed using the CKD-EPI 2021 equation. Of the 5124 assessments, 1561 were excluded due to duplicate hospitalizations, and 447 patients lacked initial creatinine measurements. The final analysis incorporates 3116 patients, categorized based on their eGFR. The average age of the participants was 79.76 years.

Among patients aged 65 and above, CKD exhibited a prevalence of 25.03%. CKD stage 2 was predominantly observed in both the elderly and the elderly-elderly population (58.1% and 56.8%, respectively), while CKD stage 1 was more frequently encountered among the young elderly. Notably, CKD had a higher prevalence in the elderly population (48.5%). Additionally, CKD was more prevalent in females (60.3%) compared to males. Over a decade, CKD demonstrated fluctuating patterns, initially reaching peak values in 2018-2019, but witnessing a substantial reduction in hospitalizations during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Within the 75-84 age group, we observed a greater prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among females. Among these female patients, CKD often presented in conjunction with anemia and hypoproteinemia in the advanced stages of the condition. Additionally, the advanced stage of CKD was more commonly observed in females. Nevertheless, it's important to underscore the need for further evaluation to establish more robust conclusions. More extensive studies and in-depth analysis are required to confirm these trends and provide a solid foundation for making informed clinical decisions. A more detailed exploration of contributing factors, comorbidities, and potential interventions is essential to form more conclusive and actionable insights.