Research Article
Comparison of Ultrasound Grading of Renal Parenchymal Disease and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients at St. Paul Hospital, Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, June 2025
Pages:
23-32
Received:
19 August 2025
Accepted:
3 September 2025
Published:
25 September 2025
Abstract: Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health burden, with an estimated prevalence of 8–16%. Ultrasound and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) are critical tools for assessing renal function, but studies evaluating their correlation in Ethiopian populations remain lacking. Existing international studies often utilize limited sample sizes, potentially affecting their generalizability to local contexts. Objective: To compare ultrasound-based renal parenchymal grading with eGFR in CKD patients at a tertiary care center in Addis Ababa, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College. Methods: We conducted an institutional cross-sectional study of 235 CKD patients from August 2022 to May 2023. eGFR was calculated using the MDRD formula from serum creatinine values. Standardized ultrasound evaluation assessed cortical echogenicity (graded 0-3 relative to splenic echogenicity), corticomedullary differentiation, renal length, and parenchymal thickness. Statistical analysis employed descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Spearman's correlation using SPSS version 27. Results: The cohort demonstrated significant progressive decline in mean eGFR values corresponding to worsening ultrasound grades: 60.7 ± 14.7 mL/min/1.73m2 (Grade 0), 43.2 ± 11 (Grade 1), 26.8 ± 6.1 (Grade 2), and 12.2 ± 6.4 (Grade 3). Cortical echogenicity and corticomedullary differentiation showed particularly strong negative correlations with eGFR (P < 0.001). Renal length demonstrated a significant positive correlation with eGFR (right: r = 0.470; left: r = 0.454; both P < 0.001), while parenchymal thickness measurements did not demonstrate strong statistically significant associations. Conclusion: Our study confirms significant correlations between ultrasound-based renal grading and eGFR in CKD patients. We recommend adopting this grading system in clinical practice alongside serum creatinine and GFR measurements for comprehensive renal assessment. The results serve as valuable baseline data for future research, particularly regarding cases with Grade 3 parameters but normal renal size, which may need inclusion in the grading system.
Abstract: Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health burden, with an estimated prevalence of 8–16%. Ultrasound and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) are critical tools for assessing renal function, but studies evaluating their correlation in Ethiopian populations remain lacking. Existing international studies often utilize limited ...
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Research Article
Natural Radioelement Concentrations and Dose Rate Assessment Using High-Resolution Aeroradiometric Data of Dapchi and Biriri Areas, Upper Benue Trough, Nigeria
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, June 2025
Pages:
33-42
Received:
10 November 2025
Accepted:
21 November 2025
Published:
17 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.rst.20251102.12
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Abstract: This study investigates the distribution of natural radioelements and the associated radiation exposure levels in the Dapchi and Biriri areas of the Upper Benue Trough, Nigeria, using high-resolution aeroradiometric data obtained from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA). The radiometric dataset was processed and interpreted using Oasis Montaj 8.4 and Surfer 14 to evaluate the concentrations of uranium (U), thorium (Th), and potassium (K), alongside their corresponding dose rates. The results reveal that uranium concentrations range from 1.56 to 2.90 ppm, thorium from 7.8 to 11.9 ppm, and potassium from 0.50 to 0.83%. Spatial analysis shows that the southwestern part of Dapchi exhibits the highest radioelement concentrations, a pattern attributed to the dominance of granitic and metamorphic formations enriched in radiogenic minerals. The computed dose rates vary between 0.402 and 0.472 mSv/year, with an average value of 0.439 mSv/year. Areas with elevated dose rates coincide with regions of high U, Th, and K concentrations, while lower values occur mainly in Biriri, corresponding to sedimentary lithologies such as sandstone and shale. Despite observable spatial variations, all recorded dose rate values remain below the globally recommended natural background radiation limit of 1.0 mSv/year. This indicates that the natural radiological environment within the study area presents minimal health risk to the local population and provides important baseline data for environmental monitoring and geoscientific studies.
Abstract: This study investigates the distribution of natural radioelements and the associated radiation exposure levels in the Dapchi and Biriri areas of the Upper Benue Trough, Nigeria, using high-resolution aeroradiometric data obtained from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA). The radiometric dataset was processed and interpreted using Oasis Mon...
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Fanuel Alemayehu Tefera
