Glomerulonephritis Flashcards
Chronic glomerulonephritis is the commonest cause of end stage renal failure. True/false?
False - second commonest after diabetes
What is glomerulonephritis?
Immune-mediated disease of the kidneys affecting the glomeruli
What usually drives the immune process in GN?
Antibodies
What are the three cells that can be affected in GN?
Endothelial
Mesangial
Podocyte
Damage to what cells causes a proliferative lesion and blood in urine?
Endothelial
Mesangial
Damage to what cells leads to a non-proliferative lesion and protein in urine?
Podocytes
What happens to a podocyte when it is damaged?
Loses its size and charge specific barrier
What happens a mesangial cell when it is damaged?
It proliferates and attracts inflammatory cells
What occurs when an endothelial cell is damaged?
Vasculitis
What is the gold standard test for GN?
Kidney biopsy
Name some ways urine can be examined
Urinalysis
Urine microscopy
Urine protein:creatinine ratio
What are signs of GN on urinalysis?
Haematuria
Proteinuria
What are signs of GN on urine microscopy?
Dysmorphic RBCs
Red cell casts
What are some clinical presentations of GN?
Nephrotic syndrome
Nephritic syndrome
What are signs of nephritic syndrome?
Oliguria
Oedema
Haematuria
What cells are affected in nephritic syndrome?
Mesangial cells
What are signs of nephrotic syndrome?
Proteinuria
Hypoalbuminaemia
Oedema
Hypercholesterolaemia
What cells are affected in nephrotic syndrome?
Podocytes
Give some complications of nephrotic syndrome
Infections
Renal vein thrombosis
Pulmonary emboli
The majority of glomerulonephritis is idiopathic. True/false?
True
What are some secondary causes of GN?
Malignancy
Vasculitis
Goodpastures
HSP
What are the histological classifications of GN?
Proliferative/non-proliferative
Focal/diffuse
Global/segmental
Give examples of non-immunosuppressive treatment used in GN
Anti-hypertensives (ACEIs/ARBs)
Diuretics
Statins
What immunosuppressive drugs can be used to treat GN?
Prednisolone
Azathioprine
Cyclophosphamide
Rituximab
