Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease Among Elderly Patients in the Northeastern Region of Romania: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional, Retrospective Analysis.

Abstract

In Romania, data pertaining to the incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are scant, with an even more limited understanding of the elderly demographic. In this study, we used a descriptive cross-sectional retrospective approach, drawing data from the Geriatrics and Gerontology Clinic at Dr. C.I. Parhon Clinical Hospital in Iași, Romania. We assessed renal function through creatinine measurements and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) computed using the CKD-Epidemiology Collaboration (EPI) 2021 equation. The final analysis incorporates 1080 patients, categorized based on their eGFR. The average age was 79.76 years. CKD stages 3a-5 prevalence was 25.03% (n=780) and CKD stages 1-5 was 34.6% (n=1080). The most prevalent stage was stage 3a with a frequency of 45% (n=486). Regarding age distribution, 26.2% (n=283) were young elderly, 52.1% (n=563) were elderly, and 21.6% (n=234) were old elderly, with CKD stage 3a prevalent in all age groups. This is the first study in Romania conducted exclusively on elderly patients with CKD. This study was conducted in a university center serving a population of 4.5 million patients, featuring a dedicated nephrology clinic. This study delves into the prevalence of CKD within the elderly demographic, examining its correlation with essential biomarkers of malnutrition. This study spans a decade, from 2012 to 2022, focusing on Romania's northeastern region, specifically Moldova. This is the second substantial analysis carried out in Romania and Eastern Europe, with a unique emphasis on patients aged 65 years and older.