Comparison of one year outcomes and clinical characteristics among HIV positive and HIV negative patients on maintenance haemodialysis.

By Verah Mugambi

Kenyatta National Hospital recognizes the importance of research as a strategy towards realization of its vision to be “A world class patient-centered specialized care Hospital.” In this regard, the Hospital has set aside funds to be disbursed through the Medical Research Department to promote research within the Hospital.

Dr. Mary Nigandi Kubo, a Lecturer- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Dept. of Clinical Medicine & Therapeutics, UoN, is one of the beneficiaries of the grant and she enlightened Newsline about her research work and the process of getting the funds.

What motivated you to conduct a study on this topic?

Dr. Mary: HIV remains a leading cause of mortality in Kenya. Additionally, prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is on the rise both globally and locally. HIV is a known risk factor for chronic kidney disease and with greater life expectancy among HIV positive patients, the number of patients with both HIV and chronic kidney disease is predicted to rise. Little is known about the outcomes including mortality rates of HIV positive patients on haemodialysis compared to their HIV negative counterparts in our region.

This study which took one year to complete, was a retrospective chart review over a ten-year period between 2010 & 2019. It aimed at determining the documented prevalence of HIV among patients on haemodialysis at the Kenyatta National Hospital and Nairobi Hospital Renal Units between 1st January 2010 and 31st December 2019.

It further compared selected clinical characteristics, one-year mortality and loss to follow up rates among HIV positive patients on haemodialysis during this period compared to their HIV negative counterparts.

Findings/Conclusion.

HIV seropositive on maintenance haemodialysis had higher risks of infectious complications, anemia, blood transfusions and poorer outcomes compared to their HIV seronegative counterparts.

“Sometime back there was a PHERT (Partnership in Health Research Training) program that provided training in Research methodology, biostatistics and Grant writing. These are the skills I utilized in applying for the KNH grant. For that, I wish to thank Dr. John Kinuthia (KNH), Prof. Dalton Wamalwa (UoN), and Prof. Ruth Nduati (UoN) for their mentorship during the program.

“The grant was really a life changing for me since I didn’t have to dig into my pockets to do the research. The funding catered for everything. I even had an excellent statistician from KNH; Mr. Ken Mutai.

“The research has been accepted for poster presentation at the International Society of Nephrology Frontiers Meeting on Infections and the Kidneys in New Delhi in September 2022. They’ve also graciously awarded me a travel grant to attend the meeting,” added Dr. Mary.

As we concluded the interview, the doctor acknowledged and appreciated several people who helped her throughout the process. “I have tried applying for other grants but the KNH one was the smoothest. Very straight forward and KNH research unit staff, such as Mr. Mwenda and Ms. Jacinta were really supportive and guided me on what is required.

“We must continue to tell our own story, generate our own data from our own patients to tell the story from sub-Saharan Africa through conducting research. I encourage post graduate students or any other staff who are interested in research, to apply,” she concluded.

The department is still receiving proposals and the deadline for receiving the applications is fast approaching; on 30th June 2022.

Kindly submit your application electronically through https:// knh.or.ke/index.php/funding-rfa/.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact the Research and Programs

Department (located around

Outpatient clinics, first floor next to Staff clinic) on 0202115953 or

Ext.44705 or Email knhresearchp@ knh.or.ke, knhresearch@gmail.com

Please Note KNH/UON-ERC approval is not a requirement for application, however the study must be approved before funds are released. We also encourage applicants to submit proposals to ERC for approval as we assess the applications.