Prevalence of acute Post-streptococcal Glomerulonephritis in Port Harcourt

Abstract

Summary: Progressive and significant annual increase in the prevalence of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) in Port Harcourt, was revealed in the present study of 113 cases, covering a period of eight years. There were more males than females, although this sex difference was not significant. There was a significant difference in the seasonal incidence of the disease, with more cases occurring during the dry than in the rainy season. Antecedent pharyngeal streptococcal infection occurred in 54.4 percent of the cases, while pyoderma occurred in 45.6 percent. Possible contributory factors to the increasing high frequency of APSGN in the present series, included a general decline in the economic status of low social classes of the population with large families. Complications associated with the disease included acute pulmonary oedema which occurred in 20.4 percent, hyper tension in 63.7 percent and nephrotic syndrome in 29.2 percent of the cases. Mortality in the series was 2.7 percent.