Background: Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) globally. This study aimed to identify determinants of DN in patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in northern Cameroon. Methods: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study from December 2, 2024, to May 31, 2025, among outpatients with T2D at Garoua General Hospital and the Regional Hospitals of Garoua and Maroua. Patients who provided oral consent were included, while those with other causes of nephropathy or proteinuria were excluded. DN was defined as albuminuria (micro or macro) and/or an eGFR ≤ 60 mL/min in the presence of microvascular complications (diabetic retinopathy or neuropathy). Determinants of DN were identified using logistic regression, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 327 patients were included, with a median age (IQR) of 54 (46 - 62) years; 55.4% were men. The median duration of diabetes (IQR) was 4.6 (2.7 - 10) years, and 89.3% had an HbA1c > 7%. Physical inactivity was the most common cardiovascular risk factor (66.1%). The overall prevalence of DN was 24.5% (95% CI: 19.9 - 29.5); macroalbuminuria: 5.5%, microalbuminuria: 17.8%, and eGFR ≤ 60 mL/min in the presence of microvascular complications: 1.2%. Determinants of DN [adjusted OR (95% CI), p] were age ≥ 60 years [10.33 (4.27 - 25.00), p = 0.004], diabetes duration ≥ 10 years [2.45 (1.02 - 6.03), p = 0.041], diabetic retinopathy [9.52 (3.14 - 28.83), p < 0.001], and diabetic neuropathy [41.35 (4.32 - 95.13), p < 0.001]. Conclusion: The high prevalence of DN and its determinants in our study highlights the importance of early screening and regular monitoring of patients.
References
[1]
WHO (2024) Diabète. https://www.who.int/fr/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
[2]
Kantarama, E., Uwizeye, D. and Mselle, T. (2021) Prevalence and Correlates of Microalbuminuria among Type 2 Diabetes Patients at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Rwanda Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 4, 84-97. https://doi.org/10.4314/rjmhs.v4i1.7
[3]
Inna, A.A.H., Ibrahima, A., Boli, A., Djeugoue, P., Deunga, R., Aminou, D.S., et al. (2024) Le Diabète Sucré en Milieu Hospitalier Dans le Nord du Cameroun: Aspects Épidémiocliniques, Paracliniques et Thérapeutiques. Health Sciences and Disease, 25, 48-53.
[4]
Spo, D., Didier, K.S., Claude, O.K., Ophelia, G., Adelin, O. and Yao, K.H. (2024) Profil des Diabétiques Hémodialysés Chroniques dans Deux Centres Publics d’Hémodialyse d’Abidjan: Profile of Diabetic Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis in Two Public Hemodialysis Centers of Abidjan. Health Sciences and Disease, 25, 67-74.
[5]
Djiby, S., Demba, D., Assane, N.M., Mané, D.I., Mahecor, D., Marie, K., et al. (2018) Prevalence of Microalbuminury and Associated Risk Factors in a Population of Diabetics Followed at the Marc Sankale Center of Dakar. Open Journal of Internal Medicine, 8, 24-32. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojim.2018.81004
MINSANTE (2024) Lutte contre le diabète au Cameroun Riposte collective contre le tueur silencieux. https://www.minsante.cm/site/?q=fr/content/lutte-contre-le-diab%C3%A8te-au-cameroun-riposte-collective-contre-le-tueur-silencieux
[8]
Efundem, N.T., Assob, J.C.N., Feteh, V.F. and Choukem, S. (2017) Prevalence and Associations of Microalbuminuria in Proteinuria-Negative Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Two Regional Hospitals in Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study. BMC Research Notes, 10, Article No. 477. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-017-2804-5
[9]
Bfj, V., Bgm, K., Agg, N., Cc, K., Acb, Y., Kc, L., et al. (2024) Intérêt de la Détection de la Microalbuminurie par les Bandelettes Urinaires chez les Diabétiques de Type 2 à Abidjan: Interest of Microalbuminuria Detection by Urinary Strips in Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Abidjan. Health Sciences and Disease, 25, 63-66.
[10]
Bissong, M.E.A., Teke, G.N., Samje, M., Goneh, H., Foka, F.E.T. and Kamga, H.L. (2017) Microalbuminuria in Diabetic Patients in the Bamenda Health District. Science Journal of Clinical Medicine, 6, 63-67. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjcm.20170604.14
[11]
Gariani, K., De Seigneux, S. and Pechere-Bertschi, A. (2012) Néphropathie diabétique. Revue Médicale Suisse, 8, 473-479. https://doi.org/10.53738/revmed.2012.8.330.0473
[12]
Masson, E. (2026) Prévalence et facteurs de risque de la néphropathie chez des diabétiques de type 2. EM-Consulte. https://www.em-consulte.com/article/1000929/prevalence-et-facteurs-de-risque-de-la-nephropathi
[13]
Hamat, I., Abderraman, G.M., Cisse, M.M., Youssouf, M., Djafar, M.S., Mbainguinam, D., et al. (2016) Profil de la néphropathie diabétique à l’Hôpital Général de Référence Nationale de N’Djamena (Tchad). Pan African Medical Journal, 24, Article 193. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2016.24.193.8415
[14]
Sy, S., Samake, M., Sy, D., Coulibaly, M., Diallo, D., Yattara, H., et al. (2020) Prevalence des Micro et Macroalbuminuries chez les Diabetiques de Type 2 au Centre Hospitalier Univer-sitaire du Point-G à Bamako. Health Sciences and Disease, 21, 24-28.
[15]
Bouenizabila, E., Loumingou, R., Motoula, M., Andzouana, N. and Monabeka, H. (2015) La néphropathie diabétique au CHU de Brazzaville, Congo: Aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques, et facteurs de risque. Médecine des Maladies Métaboliques, 9, 220-226. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1957-2557(15)30048-1
[16]
Alzahrani, B., Alzidani, T., Alturkistani, A. and Abozaid, H. (2019) Prevalence and Risk Factors for Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients, Taif City, Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 3, 167-172. https://doi.org/10.24911/ijmdc.51-1541336905
[17]
Unnikrishnan, R., Rema, M., Pradeepa, R., Deepa, M., Shanthirani, C.S., Deepa, R., et al. (2007) Prevalence and Risk Factors of Diabetic Nephropathy in an Urban South Indian Population. Diabetes Care, 30, 2019-2024. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc06-2554
[18]
Abdulqawi Ali, A., Abdullatif Daiffallah, A. and Hussein Al, J. (2019) Prevalence of Proteinuria among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Dhamar Governorate, Yemen. International Journal of Diabetes and Clinical Research, 6, Article 106. https://doi.org/10.23937/2377-3634/1410106
[19]
Rahamtalla, F.A. (2012) Prevalence of Microalbuminuria among Sudanese Type 2 Diabetic Patients at Elmusbah Center at Ombadda-Omdurman. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy (IOSRPHR), 2, 51-55. https://doi.org/10.9790/3013-25205155
[20]
Tripathi, D.A.K., Pratap, D.M. and Jadoun, D.A.S. (2024) Prevalence of Microalbuminuria in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, 84, 5-10. https://doi.org/10.47583/ijpsrr.2024.v84i01.002
[21]
Kim, C.S., Suh, S.H., Choi, H.S., Bae, E.H., Ma, S.K., Kim, B., et al. (2025) Impact of Diabetes Duration and Hyperglycemia on the Progression of Diabetic Kidney Disease: Insights from the KNHANES 2019-2021. World Journal of Diabetes, 16, Article ID: 102094. https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v16.i5.102094
[22]
Shahrir, N.F., Aziz, N.R.A., Ahmad, F.L., Muzaid, N.A., Samat, F., Syed Ghazaili, S.N.A., et al. (2022) Determinants of Microalbuminuria among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Kuala Selangor District: A Cross-Sectional Study. Malaysian Family Physician, 17, 53-63. https://doi.org/10.51866/oa.122
[23]
Sheikh, S.A., Baig, J.A., Iqbal, T., Kazmi, T., Baig, M. and Husain, S.S. (2009) Prevalence of Microalbuminuria with Relation to Glycemic Control in Type-2 Diabetic Patients in Karachi. Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, 21, 83-86.
[24]
Asghar, S., Asghar, S., Mahmood, T., Bukhari, S.M.H., Mumtaz, M.H. and Rasheed, A. (2023) Microalbuminuria as the Tip of Iceberg in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Associated Diabetic Complications. Cureus, 15, e43190. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.43190
[25]
Kulkarni, A., Thool, A.R. and Daigavane, S. (2024) Understanding the Clinical Relationship between Diabetic Retinopathy, Nephropathy, and Neuropathy: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus, 16, e56674. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.56674
