End-Stage Renal Disease in the Gaza Strip and Its Relationship to Risk Factors

Abstract

End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Understanding the risk factors of ESRD can help identify preventive strategies. This study aimed to determine the risk factors of ESRD among patients undergoing hemodialysis in the governmental hospitals in Gaza Strip. Retrospective-hospital based-case control study was conducted on patients with ESRD, at Ministry of Health Hospitals at the time of study in 2014 (N = 264), proportional stratified random sample used for sample selection (n = 132) cases matched with sex, age, and locality to 132 control were chosen. Data was collected using a questionnaire including socio-demographic, medical history, and life style and additional data were obtained from medical record. The results showed that the most common risk factors associated with ESRD were hypertension (42.4% versus 20.5%) and diabetes mellitus (28% versus 16.7%). Kidney stone (21.2% versus 4.5%), urinary tract infection (65.9% versus 27.3%) and glomerulonephritis (19.7% versus 6.1%) follow it. For medications analgesic drug formed among cases and controls (22% versus 9.1%). For smoking it was (47.7% versus 23.5%), obesity (41.7% versus 34.1%), anxiety (17.4% versus 6.1%). For low activity (48.5% versus 28%), primary educational level (95.1% versus 39.4%), low household income (76.5% versus 59.1%), family history (70.5% versus 47.7%). A multiple logistic regression controlling for age, gender, and location showed that significant predictors of ESRD were hypertension, glomerulonephritis, and obesity. In conclusion, the study suggests that most of the identified risk factors are preventable by easy ways as screening of highly risk people and encourage health life style.