The magnitude of undernutrition and associated factors among adult chronic kidney disease patients in selected hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Undernutrition is a common comorbidity in chronic kidney disease patients which augments the progression of the disease to an end-stage renal disease, renal dysfunction and related morbidity and mortality. However, in Ethiopia, there is a dearth of research evidence in this regard. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of undernutrition and its associated factors among adult chronic kidney disease patients. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in selected hospitals of Addis Ababa from May to August 2018. Data were collected by structured and pretested questionnaires. Patients’ charts were reviewed from their medical profiles. Body mass index was calculated from anthropometric measurements using calibrated instruments. Serum albumin level was determined by reference laboratory standard procedure. Data were entered into Epi- data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were calculated and presented by tables, graphs and texts. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed and the level of statistical significance was declared at p-value <0.05. RESULTS: From the total sample size of 403 participants, 371 were involved in the study. The prevalence of undernutrition (BMI<18.5) among adult chronic kidney disease patients was 43.1% (95% CI: 38%-48%). Undernutrition (BMI<18.5) was significantly higher among patients with diabetic nephropathy [AOR = 2.00, 95% CI, 1.09–2.66], serum albumin value less than 3.8g/dl [AOR = 4.21: CI, 2.07–5.07], recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus [AOR = 2.36, 95% CI, 1.03–3.14] and stage V chronic kidney disease [AOR = 3.25:95% CI, 1.00–3.87]. CONCLUSION: Undernutrition in chronic kidney disease patients was significantly higher among patients with diabetic nephropathy, patients on stage V chronic kidney disease, recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and serum albumin value less than 3.8g/dl.