Glomerulonephritis Flashcards
what is the renal parenchyma
the kidney itself
what are the two main presentations of GN
Chronic GN is 2nd commonest cause of End Stage Renal Failure (after diabetes). More common than acute.
Acute GN is an important treatable cause of Acute Renal Failure
definition of GN
Immune-mediated disease of the kidneys affecting the glomeruli
(with secondary tubulointerstitial damage)
how can GN happen
Humoral (antibody-mediated)
Cell-mediated (T-cells)
Inflammatory cells, mediators and complements
what is the charges of the glomerular cell membrane
negatively charged
allows it to have a size and charge selective barrier
what happens to the barrier in GM
disruption of the barrier leading to haematuria and/or proteinuria
what determines how GM presents
site and type of injury
what does Damage to endothelial or mesangial cells lead to
a proliferative lesion and red cells in urine.
what does damage to podocytes lead to
non-proliferative lesion and protein in urine (no RBC)
how is GN diagnosis
Clinical presentation
Blood tests
Examination of urine
Kidney biopy
how can urine be analysed
Urinalysis - haematuria, proteinuria
Urine microsopy - RBC (dysmorphic), RBC & granular casts, lipiduria
Urine Protein: Creatinine Ratio / 24 hour urine - quantify proteinuria
how can GN present
Haematuria (micro or macroscopic) Proteinuria Impaired renal function (AKI or CKD/ ESRD) Hypertension Nephrotic syndrome Nephritis syndrome Nephrotic-Nephritic Syndrome
how can proteinuria be defined
Microalbuminuria (30-300mg albuminuria/day) Asymptomatic proteinuria ( 3 g/day)
what is features of nephritic syndrome
Acute Renal Failure Oliguria Oedema/ Fluid retention Hypertension Active urinary sediment RBC’s, RBC & Granular Casts
Indicative of a proliferative process
what is features of nephrotic syndrome
Proteinuria > 3 g/day (mostly albumin, also globulins)
Hypoalbuminaemia (
nephrotic syndrome complications
Infections
Renal vein thrombosis
Pulmonary emboli
Volume depletion (overaggressive use of diuretics) - may lead to ARF (pre-renal)
Vit D deficiency
Subclinical hypothyroidism
classifications of GN
Primary - idiopathic (majority)
Secondary - caused by eg. infections or drugs eg. malignancies part of systemic disease
eg. ANCA - associated systemic vasculitis, lupus, Goodpastures, HSP
how is GN described in terms of histology
Proliferative or non-proliferative
Focal/Diffuse
Global/Segmental
Crescentic
what are the aims of GN treatment
Reduce degree of proteinuria
Induce remission of nephrotic syndrome
Preserve longterm renal function
what are the two categories of treatment of GN
Immunosuppressive
Non-immunosuppressive
Non-immunosuppressive Tx of GN
Goal to lower BP:
- Anti-hypertensives (target BP