Etiologies of chronic renal failure in Jordanian population

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a major medical problem, not only because of its prevalence, but also because of its complications, which have a huge impact on a person's life, both mentally and socially. By investigating the etiologies predisposing patients to CRF, we might be able to give recommendations about what should be done to avoid it.

A questionnaire was filled in from patients who presented with CRF to 2 major hospitals in Irbid, Jordan, investigating the causes and risk factors for CRF available in those patients.

A total of 235 patients were diagnosed with CRF in 2 major hospitals in Irbid, Jordan. Around 72.8% of these patients were older than 40 years, 53.6% were females. Diabetes mellitus was the leading cause of CRF (44.7%); the second cause was glomerulonephritis (9.8%); and chronic use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was the third cause (8.9%).

A large percentage of patients had CRF due to diabetes. We provide evidence that our prescriptions must be revised, as chronic use of NSAIDs was the third leading cause of CRF. Both of these causes are seemingly preventable, and efforts should be made to eliminate them from the list of etiologies.