Glomerular Filtration Rate and Blood Urea Nitrogen Levels between Coastal and Desert Regions within Libya

Background: Limited research exists on how geographic location and environmental factors influence kidney function. This study investigates potential variations in Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) levels between individuals residing in the coastal and desert regions of Libya. Methods: An observational, retrospective analysis was conducted using medical records. Participants (n=260) were recruited from Benghazi (coastal) and Jalu/Samnu/Sabha (desert) regions. Inclusion criteria included age range (18-90 years) and residency in the designated location. Exclusion criteria focused on factors affecting GFR (e.g., pre-existing kidney disease). GFR was estimated using the CKD-EPI formula. BUN levels were obtained from medical records. T-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The final sample size (after exclusions) and participant demographics was 134 participants. The study found no statistically significant difference in GFR between the coastal and desert groups (p-value = 0.238). However, BUN levels were significantly higher in the desert group (mean = 28.2 SD = 30.5) compared to the coastal group (mean = 15.5, SD = 10.5) with a p-value of (p-value = 0.026). Conclusion: This study did not identify a significant association between GFR and geographic location (coastal vs. desert) within Libya. However, BUN levels were significantly higher in the desert population, suggesting potential differences in kidney function or contributing factors that warrant further investigation.