Professional paper

Morbidity and mortality from endemic nephropathy in the village of Kaniža

A. Hrabar ; Epidemiološki odjel Zavoda za zaštitu zdravlja SR Hrvatske, Zagreb, Medicinski centar, Slavonski Brod i Biokemijski laboratorij Klinike za unutarnje bolesti Rebro Medicinskog fakulteta, Zagreb
Kasja Šuljaga ; Epidemiološki odjel Zavoda za zaštitu zdravlja SR Hrvatske, Zagreb, Medicinski centar, Slavonski Brod i Biokemijski laboratorij Klinike za unutarnje bolesti Rebro Medicinskog fakulteta, Zagreb
B. Borčić ; Epidemiološki odjel Zavoda za zaštitu zdravlja SR Hrvatske, Zagreb, Medicinski centar, Slavonski Brod i Biokemijski laboratorij Klinike za unutarnje bolesti Rebro Medicinskog fakulteta, Zagreb
B. Aleraj ; Epidemiološki odjel Zavoda za zaštitu zdravlja SR Hrvatske, Zagreb, Medicinski centar, Slavonski Brod i Biokemijski laboratorij Klinike za unutarnje bolesti Rebro Medicinskog fakulteta, Zagreb
S. Čeović ; Epidemiološki odjel Zavoda za zaštitu zdravlja SR Hrvatske, Zagreb, Medicinski centar, Slavonski Brod i Biokemijski laboratorij Klinike za unutarnje bolesti Rebro Medicinskog fakulteta, Zagreb
Dubravka Čvoriščec ; Epidemiološki odjel Zavoda za zaštitu zdravlja SR Hrvatske, Zagreb, Medicinski centar, Slavonski Brod i Biokemijski laboratorij Klinike za unutarnje bolesti Rebro Medicinskog fakulteta, Zagreb

Abstract

A one-year study of endemic nephropathy was carried out in the village of Kaniža in the Posavina region near Slavonski Brod. The methods used in the study and the results obtained are presented in this paper. The study included the entire population of the selected village at risk. Four criteria important for the setting up of an accurate diagnosis were used: proteinuria, ereatinemia anemia and family history of endemic nephropathy. The most important criterion - proteinuria was determined by two methods: the sulphsalicylic test and an immunodiffusion test for beta, - microglobulins. These tests were performed once a month throughout the observation time (12 months). This allowed a safer distinction between real, pathognomonic and occasional or accidental albuminurias. To obtain as exact a mortality rate as possible the cause of each death was medically scrutinized, which is not an ordinary practice. In 1974 7.3% of the Kaniža population was affected by endemic nephropathy and 4.3% was found suspect. These percentages are inversely proportional to those recorded in previous observations. The number of cases in the age group of above 40 rises at a nearly geometric progression. Endemic nephropathy was the cause of death in 1.4% of the population which is a several times higher percentage than usually reported. Women are affected more often than men (8.5% and 6.0% respectively). This is in agreement with previous observations. At first sight the autochtonous population appears to be more susceptible to endemic nephropathy than immigrants (8.3% against 5.8%). However, if the autochtonous population aged over 20 is compared with immigrants who lived at Kaniža for over 20 years - this being an approximate minimal length of exposure to the hypothetical causative agents or the latent phase of the disease - there is in fact no difference (12% against 14%).

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

166052

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/166052

Publication date:

20.9.1976.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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