Normal Renal Parenchymal Thickness Values in Ethiopian Adults

Purpose : The purpose of our study was to establish renal parenchymal thickness (RPT) values in a normal Ethiopian population using ultrasound. Methods : A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Ayder Specialized Referral Hospital in Mekelle, Tigray region, Ethiopia, from February to May 2018. A total of 375 adult patients with no history of renal disease were included. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, Pearson correlation, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression to determine RPT values and their relationship with demographic variables. Results : The mean RPT in males was 15.63 ± 2.63 mm for the right kidney and 16.36 ± 3.45 mm for the left kidney. In females, the mean RPT was 15.54 ± 2.8 mm for the right kidney and 16.6 ± 4.11 mm for the left kidney. The left kidney's mean RPT was significantly higher than the right kidney's. A negative correlation was observed between age and RPT, indicating a decrease in RPT with increasing age. No significant gender differences were found in mean RPT. Conclusion : This study established baseline RPT values for normal adults in Tigray, Ethiopia, revealing lower RPT values compared to other populations. These findings underscore the importance of localized normative data for accurate renal disease diagnosis and management. Further research is needed to explore the causes and implications of these differences, including early diagnosis of chronic renal disease (CKD).