Gene Variant Linked to High Chronic Kidney Disease Rates in Nigeria, Ghana – Study

One-third of Nigerians and Ghanaians are at risk of developing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) due to a genetic variant, according to a new study led by Prof. Ifeoma Ulasi from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

In a statement shared with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ulasi explained that the study, titled “APOL1 Bi- and Monoallelic Variants and Chronic Disease in West Africans,” reveals a link between the APOL1 gene variant and the high prevalence of CKD in West Africa. The study involved over 8,000 participants from Nigeria and Ghana, including nearly 5,000 individuals with varying stages of CKD and more than 800 who underwent kidney biopsies.

The research, which included contributions from Prof. Akinlolu Ojo, Dr. Dwomoa Adu, Prof. Babatunde Salako, and Prof. Rasheed Gbadegesin, along with experts from the National Institute of Health (NIH), found that the APOL1 gene variant significantly raises CKD risk. Prof. Ulasi noted, “This rare variant of APOL1 can increase the risk of CKD by up to 25% if two copies of the gene are present.”

Ulasi, who also serves as a Consultant Physician at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, emphasized the importance of early detection, especially for families with a history of kidney disease. “If a family member has suffered from kidney disease, it is recommended that other relatives undergo screening,” she advised.

Co-author Adebowale Adeyemo, Chief Scientific Officer at NIH’s Centre for Research on Genomics and Global Health, added, “Knowing your genetic risk can inform health decisions and lead to early intervention.”

This groundbreaking research underscores the importance of genetic screening to identify those at risk, potentially helping to prevent CKD progression in affected populations.