Author(s)

Nesta Patricia Ziza Ngaila^1*, Daniella Nsame¹, Annick Mfoumou², Treycia Yolene Pambo Moumba¹, Ludwine Clud Bifoume Ndong¹, Pegguy Flore Bilogue¹, Eudine Tsouka Ibounde¹, Agathe Gorra¹, Eric Baye¹, Philomene Kouna Ndouongo³

¹Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Department of Endocrinology, CHU Libreville, Libreville, Gabon.
²Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Department of Internal Medicine, CHU Libreville, Libreville, Gabon.
³Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Department of Neurology, CHU Libreville, Libreville, Gabon.

Introduction: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious complication of diabetes, due to its potential progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), of which it is the main cause. The aim of this study was to identify the main risk factors associated with DN. Methodology: Analytical cross-sectional study conducted between January 2022 and November 2024, including diabetic patients who consulted the CHUL endocrinology department and showed albuminuria or proteinuria, divided into two groups: those with DN and those without. The 2 groups were compared. Results: A total of 99 patients were included, predominantly women (sex ratio: 0.98). The mean age of the population was 59 ± 11 years, with extremes ranging from 29 to 78 years. DN was present in 45.45% of cases. In the DN group, the average age was 60 ± 11 years, and 52.38% had diabetes for more than 10 years, compared with 24.56% of controls. Arterial hypertension (AH) accounted for 69.05% in the DN group, versus 64.91% in controls. HbA1c above 7.5% accounted for 38.09% in the DN group, versus 56.14%. For chronic kidney disease (CKD), stage 3a accounted for 16.67% of patients in the DN group, versus 10.91%, and stage 3b for 7.14% versus 5.45%. No stage 5 DN was found in the control group. Factors significantly associated with DN were age (p = 0.01), family history (p < 0.0001), duration of diabetes (p = 0.01), nephrology follow-up (p < 0.0001), hypertension (p = 0.047) and HbA1c (p = 0.006). Age over 65 years increased the risk of ND (OR = 2.28), and duration of diabetes over 10 years increased the risk (OR = 5.34). High blood pressure increased the risk of DN (OR = 1.21). Discussion: All in all, age and duration of diabetes are determinants of diabetic nephropathy, but cannot be controlled. On the other hand, glycemic control, blood pressure management and early nephrology follow-up represent major areas of intervention to prevent or slow the progression of this complication.

Nephropathy, Diabetes, Complications

Ngaila, N. , Nsame, D. , Mfoumou, A. , Moumba, T. , Ndong, L. , Bilogue, P. , Ibounde, E. , Gorra, A. , Baye, E. and Ndouongo, P. (2025) Factors Associated with Diabetic Nephropathy in the Endocrinology Department of the Libreville University Hospital in 2023. Open Journal of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, 15, 101-110. doi: 10.4236/ojemd.2025.157010.