Prevalence, pattern and risk factors for acute post-dialysis complications in sub-Saharan Africa: Experience from a single centre in north-central Nigeria

Abstract Background: Haemodialysis is a live-saving process for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) that has saved millions of lives. Main problem: Like other interventional therapies, different complications are associated with it. We evaluated the prevalence, pattern and risk factors for post-dialysis complications in a centre in Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from 1st November to 31st December, 2021 at the dialysis unit of Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, Abuja, Nigeria. Every dialysis session done in patients that are conscious was included in the study. Post-dialysis complications were assessed and data were entered into and analysed with SPSS.Results: One hundred and eighty-six patients had 1380 sessions of dialysis in the period. The male-female ratio was 2.6:1 and the mean age was 49.71±15.08 years. Hypertension, diabetes, and glomerulonephritis was CKD aetiology for about 75% of the patients. The most prevalent complications were headache (5.9%) and weakness (4.1%), these were closely followed by body pain (3.8%), and hypertensive crisis (3.6%). Sessions carried out with HD machine and with neckline had significantly more complications. Overweight and HD machine sessions were risk factors for at least one post-dialysis complications (OR= 1.594, CI= 1.029 – 2.470, and OR= 2.234, CI= 1.595 – 3.129 respectively).Conclusion: While some of these complications are serious, most are mild and do not require interventions. It is important for health care professionals in dialysis units to pay attention to patients that are overweight and those that dialyze using the HD machines because of increased risk.