Prevalence and Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients Referred to the Nephrology Clinic in Ilam

Introduction: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing in developed and developing countries, such as Iran. This disorder affects all economic, social, and psychological aspects of the patient’s life. The first step in preventing the spread of a disease is to know the prevalence and causes of the disease. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CKD and its causes in those referring to the specialized Nephrology Clinic in Ilam, Iran. Material & Methods: After obtaining ethics code from Ilam University of Medical Sciences, this descriptive cross-sectional study investigated 2,928 patients referred to Ilam Nephrology Clinic for two years. In this study, the clients were assessed using a 17-item researcher-made questionnaire, and the results of blood and ultrasound tests were evaluated for the presence of CKD and its causes. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 22) using descriptive statistics. Findings: The majority of patients were male (54.3%) and older than 40 years (47.9%). The prevalence of CKD in patients referred to Ilam Nephrology Clinic was 24.28% the majority of which (32.6%) were in the third stage (30<GFR<59). Diabetes (21.9%), kidney stones (17.6%), glomerulonephritis (17.2%), and hypertension (11.7%) were the common causes of renal failure in descending order. Discussion & Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, CKD is highly prevalent in Ilam. However, the most common causes of this disease can be prevented and cured. Therefore, appropriate interventions, such as awareness of the disease and its risk factors can prevent the spread and progression of this disorder.