[Epidemiologic and clinical profile of patients at their first consultation with a nephrologist in Togo].

OBJECTIVES To determine the clinical and epidemiologic profile of the source population of the only nephrology department in Togo, to guide the development of prevention. METHODS Prospective and descriptive cross-sectional study of all patients seen for the first time during the year 2012 in the department of nephrology and hemodialysis of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital in Lomé. We analyzed the following data: medical specialty of the referring medical professional, the reason for consultation (RFC), demographic information, and the initial assessment. RESULTS In 2012, 198 new patients were seen as outpatients in nephrology; their mean age was 51 ± 18 years (16-82 years), and the sex ratio M/F 1.5. They were referred by a general practitioner in 97 cases (49%), a medical assistant in 19 (9.6%), a cardiologist in 23 (11.6%), and a nurse in 12 (6.1%); 7 (3.5%) came on their own initiative. The RFC was kidney failure for 145 patients (73.2%), nephrotic syndrome for 10 (5%), hypertension for 11 (5.6%), and polycystic kidney disease for 6 (3%). Mean serum creatinine at consultation was 90 mg/L (15-398 mg/L). Initial GFR was less than 15 mL/min for 130 patients (89.7%), between 15 and 30 mL/min for 9 (6.2%), and between 30 and 60 mL/min for 6 (4.1%). CONCLUSION Advanced-stage kidney failure is the main reason for nephrology consultations in Togo.