Treatment outcome of nephrotic syndrome and associated factors among Children at Public Specialized Hospitals of Bahir Dar City, northwest, Ethiopia: Retrospective study design

Abstract Background Nephrotic syndrome is the second most common glomerular disorder in children, with a generally favorable clinical outcome. It accounts for 26.1% of all renal disorders in developing countries. However, in low-resource nations like Ethiopia, treatment outcomes are worsening and leading to end-stage renal diseases. Despite this burden, there is limited research on the treatment outcomes of nephrotic syndrome and the associated factors inchildren. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the treatment outcomes of nephrotic syndrome and the associated factors among children at specialized hospitals in Bahir Dar, in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at comprehensive specialized hospitals in Bahir Dar from November 1, 2019 to December 30, 2022. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. Data were extracted from patient charts using a data extraction checklist. The data were entered into Epi-data version 4.6.0.2, and the statistical package for social science version 25 was used for analysis. Model goodness-of-fit was assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Variables with a p-value < 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were entered into the multivariable analysis using the backward method. The strength of the association was measured using adjusted odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval, and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The results were presented in the form of text, tables, and graphs. Results The final study included 297 nephrotic syndrome charts, with a response rate of 97.1%. The poor outcomes of nephrotic syndrome were found to be 10.77% (95% CI: 7.4%-14.5%). Decreased urine output [AOR: 2.9 (95% CI: 1.02–8.23)], sex [AOR: 3.42 (95% CI: 1.09–10.69)], and serum albumin level < 1.5 mg/dl [AOR: 7.34 (95% CI: 2.53–21.30)] were factors associated with poor outcomes in pediatric patients with nephrotic syndrome. Conclusion The poor outcomes of nephrotic syndrome are significant. Sex, decreased urine output, and serum albumin level < 1.5 mg/dl were significantly associated with poor treatment outcomes in nephrotic syndrome patients. This study recommends conducting another prospective follow-up study.