Renal Dysfunction among Arc Welders in Benin City, Nigeria-A Pilot Study

Objective: Occupational exposure to liberated fumes and gases during welding process could be hazardous to the kidneys. The objective of this study was to screen and identify associated factors for renal dysfunction in arc welders.

Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in 36 arc welders selected by simple random sampling from a sampling frame of registered arc welders in Egor local government area in Benin city. Twenty-two consenting age-matched controls were recruited from the maintenance department of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin city. A proforma was used to obtain vital clinical information and participants’ blood and urine samples were collected for biochemical analysis.

Results: There was no significant difference in the mean age, body mass index, blood pressure reading, serum creatinine, eGFR, lipid profile between the arc welders and controls. However, proteinuria was significantly commoner in the arc welders compared to controls (p<.001). Likewise, the fasting blood glucose level was also significantly higher in the arc welders compared to controls (135.93±53.92 mg/dL in welders, 97.67±29.28 mg/dL in controls, p =.01). The majority of the arc welders (66.7%) had chronic kidney diseases (CKD) stage 1 compared to 54.6% of the controls. However, a little below half of the control had CKD stage 2. About 11% of the arc welders had CKD stage 3 while none of the controls had CKD stage 3.

Conclusion: Proteinuria, a useful indicator of CKD is commoner among the arc welders compared to the apparently healthy controls. Therefore, there is a need to create awareness among arc welders for early CKD screening in view of the occupational exposure to toxic metals.