Assessment of visceral adiposity index and lipid accumulation product index as markers of chronic kidney disease among diabetic and hypertensive patients at the Bamenda Regional Hospital, Cameroon: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: very limited studies have emphasized the importance of visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation product index (LAPI) in the prevention and management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) especially in diabetic and hypertension patients in developing countries including Cameroon. This study aimed at assessing whether VAI and LAPI are markers of CKD among diabetic and hypertensive patients at the Bamenda Regional Hospital, Cameroon.

Methods: this analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Bamenda Regional Hospital and involved 200 diabetic and/or hypertensive patients, including 77 males and 123 females. The participant´s anthropometric indices, biochemical parameters, VAI, LAPI, and glomerular filtration rate were investigated. A structured questionnaire was used to assess some risk factors of CKD and participant lifestyle.

Results: the overweight (41%) and obesity (34%) statuses were prevalent in the population. A considerable proportion of subjects had elevated total cholesterol (46%), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (37.50%), triglycerides (24.5%), urea (40.5%) and creatinine (53.5%) levels. Stage 1 to 3 CKD was largely present in the elderly (>54-year-old) affecting the majority of patients (57.5%). Low education level and lack of physical activity were significantly associated with the prevalence of CKD (p < 0.001). On the contrary to creatinine (unadjusted OR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.13-1.62), urea (unadjusted OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.03), HDL (unadjusted OR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.78-0.97), total cholesterol/HDL ratio (unadjusted OR = 1.38; 95% CI; 1.12-1.71), VAI (unadjusted OR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.05-1.22) and LAPI (unadjusted OR = 1.00; 95% CI: 1.00-1.00) were significantly associated with CKD status of the patients while HDL was negatively associated (unadjusted OR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.78-0.97). The 9.905 and 5679 cut-offs of VAI and LAPI respectively for CKD discrimination obtained high sensitivity (75.0%) and specificity (≥79.6%).

Conclusion: visceral adiposity index and LAPI were associated with CKD among diabetic and hypertensive patients. Visceral adiposity index and LAPI could be user-friendly tools for the early diagnosis of CKD among these categories of patients in Cameroon.