Implementation of Kidney Biopsy in One of the Poorest Countries in the World: Experience from Zinder Hospital (Niger)

Abstract

Kidney biopsy (KB) has become essential in the nephrologist's approach to kidney diseases, both for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Our objective is to describe the preliminary results of KBs in Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study that took place over 36 months in the nephrology/dialysis department of the Zinder National Hospital. Biopsy results were obtained in less than 5 working days. Patients were responsible for covering the cost of the kidney biopsy. The data collected were analyzed using Epi Info V7 software. We performed 120 kidney biopsies during the study period. The average age of the patients was 35 years ± 15.4 [5-68]. The male/female sex ratio was 2:1. Patients' medical history included herbal medicine use in 33% of cases and high blood pressure in 27.5% of cases. Proteinuria was present at a rate of ≥3 g/24 h in 46.6% of them. The primary indication for kidney biopsy was glomerular syndrome in 62.5% of cases, including 50% with nephrotic syndrome. All kidney biopsies were performed with real-time ultrasound guidance, using an automatic gun fitted with a 16G needle. Regarding complications, macroscopic hematuria was present in 12.5% of cases. Inadequate kidney biopsy was infrequent (5.8% of cases). The most common findings were (i) glomerular diseases (58.4%), such as membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (13.3%), focal-segmental glomerulosclerosis (10.6%), lupus nephritis (8.8%), minimal change disease (8%), and membranous nephropathy (2.7%), and (ii) tubulointerstitial changes (31.8%). Diabetic nephropathy was rare (2.6%), as was IgA nephropathy (0.9%). We have demonstrated that implementing a sustainable kidney biopsy program in a very poor country is feasible, thanks to the dedication of a specialized renal pathologist. Having a clear diagnosis can assist in properly treating these renal patients according to international guidelines, thereby delaying the progression to end-stage kidney disease.

Keywords: Niger; Zinder; glomerular diseases; kidney biopsy; macroscopic hematuria; tubulointerstitial changes.

Figure 1

Pathological findings in renal biopsies from patients that have been taking herbal medicine.