Blood lead level and chronic kidney disease among community in Ranau, Sabah

• Main Author: Nor Ain Mior Nizam
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: RC870-923 Diseases of the genitourinary system. Urology
• Online Access: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/41531/1/24%20PAGES.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/41531/2/FULLTEXT.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/41531/

Lead (Pb) is a nephrotoxin in the environmental contaminant which impacts on human health. Main lead toxicity affects the nephrology system and the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) increase in trend globally. This study was conducted as the lead exposure via untreated water is accessible by Ranau communities and also there was no proven scientific study regarding blood lead level (BLL) related to renal disease, although BLL cases in Ranau were high. This cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2019 until July 2020, to investigate the association between BLL and CKD among community in Ranau, Sabah. This study managed to involve 100 respondents which is 60 respondents as exposed whereas 40 respondents as comparative group. The group selection was based on the exposure of lead through water intake. The parameter BLL was used as an indicator of lead exposure and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as an indicator of CKD. Blood samples taken were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) model Perkin Elmer to detect the lead level and serum creatinine was also used as biomarker for GFR values with the formula of CKD-EPI. Results have shown the mean of BLL was significantly higher in the exposed group (6.20 ± 2.89 μg/dL) compared to the comparative group (4.64 ± 2.18 μg/dL) at p=0.006. The prevalence of CKD in exposed group was higher (76.7%) compared to comparative group (35%). There was a significant association between BLL and CKD (r=0.36; p=0.01) even though at the low level of lead exposure. In conclusion, the community in Ranau whom exposed to lead via untreated drinking water were higher probability to have risk of getting CKD. Authorities were recommended to promote health program, educate the local community to increase awareness regarding lead toxicity towards health problem and continuously conduct the coverage of water treatment in Ranau area in the future. Hence, appropriate intervention can be implemented, and the prevalence of CKD can be reduced.