Prevalence and Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease in Belize: A Population-based Survey

Background: Health resources supporting dialysis and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited in Central America, and little information about the prevalence and risk factors for CKD in this region is available. Methods: The Survey of Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease was a population-based cross-sectional study conducted throughout Belize in 2017. The study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors for CKD via structured questionnaires and clinical measurements in Belizeans aged 20-55 years. A two-stage stratified sampling technique was applied. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1 center dot 73 m(2) or the presence of proteinuria. Findings: A total of 7,506 adults with a mean age of 34 center dot 6 years old completed the survey; 53 center dot 2% were women. The overall CKD prevalence was 13 center dot 7%. Women had a higher CKD prevalence than men (14 center dot 8% vs. 12 center dot 5%), and the overall awareness of CKD was low (3 center dot 7%). The prevalences of stage 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 CKD were 2 center dot 85%, 2 center dot 93%, 6 center dot 59%, 1 center dot 10%, 0 center dot 18%, and 0 center dot 06%, respectively. Older age, female sex, Mestizo/Hispanic ethnicity, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, and obesity were identified as independent risk factors for CKD. Interpretation: The prevalence of CKD was 13 center dot 7% in Belizeans aged 20-55 years. The study confirms the high burden of CKD in Belize and provides important epidemiological information for Central America. Case management systems and surveillance programmes targeting high-risk populations are crucial for ameliorating the burden of CKD. (c) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Automated summary

The prevalence of CKD was 13 center dot 7% among Belizeans aged 20-55 years. The study identified older age, female sex, Mestizo/Hispanic ethnicity, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, and obesity as independent risk factors for CKD. This study provides important epidemiological information for Central America and highlights the need for targeted case management and surveillance programs to address the burden of CKD.