The causes and course of acute tubular necrosis in Nigerians

To characterize the precipitating factors and course of acute tubular necrosis (ATN) in Nigerians, we studied the clinical course of ATN in 40 consecutive patients (22 male) seen in the Renal Unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, between June 1986 and July 1989. Nephrotoxicity resulting from the use of traditional herbal remedies (15 patients, (37.5%)) and septicaemia (7 patients (17.5%)) were the most commonly identified precipitating factors. The mean duration of the oliguric phase was 9 +/- 3.8 days, while that of the diuretic phase was 17.5 +/- 7.1 days. Majority (26 patients (65%)) were anuric at presentation. The mean urine output during the oliguric phase was 16.7 +/- 36.5 ml, whereas it was 3622 +/- 2159 ml during the diuretic phase. Transient hypertension occurred in 8.5% of cases. A total of 10 patients (25%) died. Six deaths occurred in non-dialysed patients while 5 were associated with encephalopathy. Of the 15 patients in whom ATN resulted from the use of herbal remedies, only 1 died. Nephrotoxicity from traditional herbal remedies is an important cause of ATN in Ibadan. The exact pathogenesis is unclear and warrants further investigation.