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Kidney Week

Abstract: SA-PO354

Prevalence and Risk Factors of CKD among Workers in the Brick Making Industry of La Paz Centro, Nicaragua

Session Information

Category: Chronic Kidney Disease (Non-Dialysis)

  • 301 CKD: Risk Factors for Incidence and Progression

Authors

  • Gallo, Lyanne E, UNAN.León, León, Nicaragua
  • Basra, Komal, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Alabama, United States
  • Sánchez-Delgado, Mauricio E, UNAN.León, León, Nicaragua
  • Gamez, Tania Maria, MINSA, Chinandega, Nicaragua
  • Sennett, Caryn Marie, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
  • Laws, Rebecca L., Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Alabama, United States
  • Amador, Juan José, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
  • Lopez pilarte, Damaris A., BU, Masaya, Nicaragua
  • Tripodis, Yorghos, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Alabama, United States
  • Mcclean, Michael, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Alabama, United States
  • Kupferman, Joseph, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brookline, Massachusetts, United States
  • Friedman, David J., None, Brookline, Massachusetts, United States
  • Gonzalez, Marvin Antonio, Research Center on Health, Work and Environment at National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Leon, León, Nicaragua
  • Scammell, Madeleine Kangsen, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Alabama, United States
  • García, Ana Gabriela, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua, León, Ocotal, Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua
  • Brooks, Daniel R., Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Alabama, United States
  • Aragon, Aurora, Center for Research of Health, Work, and Environment, Leon, Nicaragua
Background

Western Nicaragua is a hotspot for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) of non-traditional etiology, also called Mesoamerican Nephropathy. This disease has killed tens of thousands of economically active individuals; primarily agricultural workers at sea level. The aim of this study is to establish the prevalence of CKD among workers in the artisanal brick and tile industry, and explore associations between risk factors of interest and changes in kidney function over time.

Methods

In 2016, 257 workers in small brick and tile making industries in the La Paz Centro region of Nicaragua were recruited for a prospective cohort study. Of those, 224 (93.5%) participated in follow-up four months later. At both baseline and follow-up, serum creatinine was measured using the Jaffe methods at the biochemical laboratory at the Medical Faculty of UNAN-León and used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the CKD-EPI equation. CKD was defined as two measurements of eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73m2 at least 3 months apart.

Results

14.8% of participants had eGFR<60 at baseline. Virtually all were confirmed at follow-up for a prevalence of CKD of 14.3%; 97% of cases were male, 25% were less than 35 years of age, and 28% had stage 5 CKD (eGFR<15.) The mean difference in eGFR measured between baseline and follow-up was -4.1 (standard deviation=20.4), suggesting a decrease in mean kidney function in this brickmaking population over the study period. Linear mixed effects models indicate predictors include a job task that entails loading or operating the oven, age, sex, education, smoking status, water intake and having an immediate family member with CKD.

Conclusion

CKD prevalence among the workers in La Paz Centro was similar to prevalence reported in cross sectional studies conducted in the sugarcane growing region of Nicaragua, and slightly slower than prevalence among low-land agricultural workers in El Salvador.

Funding

  • Commercial Support –