Renal 2 🫘 Flashcards
What is the terminology change for microscopic or dipstick positive haematuria?
Non-visible haematuria
Previously known as microscopic or dipstick positive haematuria, now termed non-visible haematuria.
What is visible haematuria?
Macroscopic haematuria
Visible haematuria is the term now used for what was previously known as macroscopic haematuria.
What percentage of the population is affected by non-visible haematuria?
Approximately 2.5%
Non-visible haematuria is found in around 2.5% of the population.
List four causes of transient or spurious non-visible haematuria.
- Urinary tract infection
- Menstruation
- Vigorous exercise
- Sexual intercourse
Transient or spurious non-visible haematuria usually settles after about 3 days.
What are the causes of persistent non-visible haematuria?
- Cancer (bladder, renal, prostate)
- Stones
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Prostatitis
- Urethritis (e.g., Chlamydia)
- Renal causes (IgA nephropathy, thin basement membrane disease)
Persistent non-visible haematuria requires further investigation.
What foods can cause spurious red/orange urine?
- Beetroot
- Rhubarb
These foods can lead to a false positive for blood in urine.
What is the test of choice for detecting haematuria?
Urine dipstick
Urine dipstick is the preferred method for detecting haematuria.
Define persistent non-visible haematuria.
Blood present in 2 out of 3 samples tested 2-3 weeks apart
This definition helps in identifying cases that require further investigation.
What are the NICE urgent cancer referral guidelines for patients aged 45 years or older?
- Unexplained visible haematuria without urinary tract infection
- Visible haematuria that persists or recurs after successful treatment of urinary tract infection
These guidelines were updated in 2015.
What is nephrotic syndrome characterized by?
- Proteinuria (> 3g/24hr)
- Hypoalbuminaemia (< 30g/L)
- Oedema
Nephrotic syndrome can arise from various glomerular diseases.
What are common primary causes of nephrotic syndrome?
- Minimal change disease
- Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)
- Membranous nephropathy
These are key primary causes of nephrotic syndrome.
List the secondary causes of nephrotic syndrome.
- Diabetes mellitus
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Amyloidosis
- Infections (HIV, hepatitis B and C)
- Drugs (NSAIDs, gold therapy)
Secondary causes often relate to systemic diseases.
What is the pathophysiological mechanism of nephrotic syndrome?
Damage to the glomerular basement membrane and podocytes leading to increased permeability to proteins
This mechanism results in proteinuria, hypoalbuminaemia, and subsequent oedema.
What initial investigations are done for nephrotic syndrome?
- Urine dipstick for proteinuria
- MSU to exclude urinary tract infection
- Early morning urinary protein:creatinine ratio or albumin:creatinine ratio
- FBC and coagulation screen
- Urea and electrolytes
These investigations help in confirming the diagnosis.
What is the frequency of calcium oxalate stones?
40%
Calcium oxalate stones are the most common type of renal stone.
What are the clinical features of a urinary tract infection?
- Dysuria
- Urinary frequency
- Urinary urgency
- Cloudy/offensive smelling urine
- Lower abdominal pain
- Fever (typically low-grade)
- Malaise
Symptoms can vary in severity and presentation.
What is the role of urine dipstick in diagnosing UTI in women under 65 years?
Aid diagnosis
Urine dipsticks can help confirm UTI likelihood but should not be used in women over 65 years, men, or catheterised patients.
What is acute interstitial nephritis primarily caused by?
Drugs (most common cause), particularly antibiotics
Common drugs include penicillin, rifampicin, NSAIDs, allopurinol, and furosemide.
List symptoms associated with tubulointerstitial nephritis with uveitis (TINU).
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Painful, red eyes
TINU typically occurs in young females.
What are the three traditional classifications of acute kidney injury (AKI) causes?
- Prerenal
- Intrinsic
- Postrenal
These classifications help in identifying the underlying issues causing AKI.
What is a common prerenal cause of AKI?
Hypovolaemia secondary to diarrhoea/vomiting
Prerenal causes are often due to reduced blood flow to the kidneys.
What is a common intrinsic cause of AKI?
Acute tubular necrosis (ATN)
Intrinsic causes involve direct damage to the kidney tissue.
What is a postrenal cause of AKI?
Kidney stone in ureter or bladder
Postrenal causes relate to obstructions affecting urine flow from the kidneys.
What are the risk factors for AKI?
- Chronic kidney disease
- Other organ failure/chronic disease
- History of acute kidney injury
- Use of nephrotoxic drugs
- Age 65 years or over
- Oliguria
- Neurological or cognitive impairment
Identifying these risk factors can help in prevention strategies.
What happens when kidneys stop working?
- Reduced urine output (oliguria)
- Fluid overload
- Rise in molecules like potassium, urea, and creatinine
These changes indicate renal dysfunction and the need for intervention.
What are common symptoms of progressing AKI?
- Reduced urine output
- Pulmonary and peripheral oedema
- Arrhythmias
- Features of uraemia (e.g., pericarditis, encephalopathy)
Symptoms can vary based on the severity of renal failure.
What is the recommended method to detect AKI?
Urea and electrolytes (U&Es) blood test
This test provides key markers for renal function.
What criteria can be used to diagnose AKI according to NICE?
- Rise in serum creatinine of 26 micromol/litre within 48 hours
- 50% or greater rise in serum creatinine within the past 7 days
- Fall in urine output to less than 0.5 ml/kg/hour for more than 6 hours
These criteria help in defining acute kidney injury.
What is the management approach for AKI?
Supportive care and careful fluid balance
Management focuses on ensuring kidney perfusion while avoiding fluid overload.
What is the role of renal replacement therapy in AKI?
Used when medical treatment fails for complications like hyperkalaemia, pulmonary oedema, acidosis, or uraemia
Haemodialysis is a common form of renal replacement therapy.
What is the urine sodium level in pre-renal uraemia?
< 20 mmol/L
This indicates that kidneys are attempting to conserve sodium.
What is the urine sodium level in acute tubular necrosis?
> 40 mmol/L
In ATN, kidneys lose the ability to conserve sodium.
What is a fluid challenge in relation to kidney function?
Good or Poor response based on fluid retention
A good response indicates the kidneys are functioning properly, while a poor response suggests potential kidney issues.
What fractional urea excretion percentage indicates poor kidney function?
> 35%
A fractional urea excretion above 35% suggests renal impairment.
What urine:plasma osmolality ratio indicates poor kidney function?
< 1.1
A low urine:plasma osmolality indicates a dilutional state, often seen in renal failure.
What specific gravity value indicates poor kidney function?
< 1010
A specific gravity below 1010 suggests dilute urine, often linked to renal impairment.
What are the features of AKI? (4)
- Raised urea
- Raised creatinine
- Raised potassium
- Muddy brown casts in urine
These features help in diagnosing acute kidney injury.
What are the diagnostic criteria for AKI?
- Rise in creatinine of 26µmol/L or more in 48 hours
- > = 50% rise in creatinine over 7 days
- Fall in urine output to < 0.5ml/kg/hour for over 6 hours in adults
- > = 25% fall in eGFR in children/young adults in 7 days
These criteria are essential for the diagnosis of AKI.
What are the KDIGO staging criteria for AKI Stage 1?
- Increase in creatinine to 1.5-1.9 times baseline
- Increase in creatinine by ≥26.5 µmol/L
- Reduction in urine output to <0.5 mL/kg/hour for ≥ 6 hours
Stage 1 indicates a mild degree of AKI.
What are the referral criteria for a nephrologist? (7)
- Renal transplant
- ITU patient with unknown cause of AKI
- Vasculitis/glomerulonephritis/tubulointerstitial nephritis/myeloma
- AKI with no known cause
- Inadequate response to treatment
- Complications of AKI
- Stage 3 AKI
These criteria help determine when to refer for specialized care.
What are the two main causes of acute tubular necrosis (ATN)?
- Ischaemia
- Nephrotoxins
Ischaemia may result from shock or sepsis, while nephrotoxins can include drugs like aminoglycosides.
What is the most common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI)?
Acute tubular necrosis (ATN)
ATN is frequently seen in clinical practice as a cause for AKI.
What are the features of rhabdomyolysis? (7)
- Acute kidney injury with disproportionately raised creatinine
- Elevated creatine kinase (CK)
- Myoglobinuria
- Hypocalcaemia
- Elevated phosphate
- Hyperkalaemia
- Metabolic acidosis
These features are critical for diagnosis and management.
What management is recommended for rhabdomyolysis?
IV fluids to maintain good urine output
This is essential to prevent further kidney damage.
What are the risk factors for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Family history
Age is the primary risk factor, with prevalence increasing significantly in older men.
What are the voiding symptoms associated with BPH?
- Weak or intermittent urinary flow
- Straining
- Hesitancy
- Terminal dribbling
- Incomplete emptying
These obstructive symptoms are common in BPH.
What is the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) used for?
Classifying the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)
It assesses the impact of LUTS on quality of life.
What is the first-line treatment for moderate-to-severe voiding symptoms in BPH?
Alpha-1 antagonists (e.g., tamsulosin)
These medications improve symptoms in about 70% of men.
What characterizes urinary incontinence (UI)?
Involuntary leakage of urine
UI is a common issue, particularly in older females.
What initial investigation is recommended for urinary incontinence?
Bladder diaries for a minimum of 3 days
This helps track patterns and inform treatment.
What is the mnemonic CRABBI used for in multiple myeloma?
- Calcium
- Renal
- Anaemia
- Bleeding
- Bone
This mnemonic helps remember key features of multiple myeloma.
What is nephrotic syndrome characterized by?
- Proteinuria (> 3g/24hr)
- Hypoalbuminaemia (< 30g/L)
- Oedema
This triad is crucial for diagnosing nephrotic syndrome.
What are the primary causes of nephrotic syndrome?
- Minimal change disease
- Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
- Membranous nephropathy
These are common primary causes of nephrotic syndrome.
What is the first-line diagnostic tool for testicular cancer?
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is essential for evaluating suspected testicular masses.
What are the common types of germ-cell tumours?
- Seminomas
- Non-seminomas (embryonal, yolk sac, teratoma, choriocarcinoma)
Germ-cell tumours account for 95% of testicular cancer cases.
What are common symptoms of elevated PTH-rP levels in multiple myeloma?
Constipation, nausea, anorexia, confusion
What causes renal damage in multiple myeloma?
Monoclonal production of immunoglobulins leads to light chain deposition within the renal tubules
What are other causes of renal impairment in myeloma?
- Amyloidosis
- Nephrocalcinosis
- Nephrolithiasis
How does bone marrow crowding affect erythropoiesis?
It suppresses erythropoiesis, leading to anaemia
What condition results from bone marrow crowding and increases the risk of bleeding?
Thrombocytopenia
What causes lytic bone lesions in multiple myeloma?
Bone marrow infiltration by plasma cells and cytokine-mediated osteoclast overactivity
What is a significant risk associated with the lytic bone lesions in multiple myeloma?
Pathological fractures
What leads to increased susceptibility to infection in multiple myeloma patients?
Reduction in the production of normal immunoglobulins
What are some other features associated with multiple myeloma? (4)
- Amyloidosis (e.g. macroglossia)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Neuropathy
- Hyperviscosity
What does a full blood count typically show in multiple myeloma?
Anaemia
What is indicated by rouleaux formation in a peripheral blood film?
Multiple myeloma
What is the significance of elevated levels of M protein in the diagnosis of multiple myeloma?
It indicates monoclonal gammopathy
What is the purpose of a bone marrow aspiration in multiple myeloma?
To confirm the diagnosis if the number of plasma cells is significantly raised
What imaging technique is increasingly recommended for detecting bone lesions in multiple myeloma?
Whole-body MRI
What major diagnostic criteria are used for multiple myeloma?
- Plasmacytoma
- 30% plasma cells in a bone marrow sample
- Elevated levels of M protein
What are the minor diagnostic criteria for multiple myeloma? (4)
- 10% to 30% plasma cells in a bone marrow sample
- Minor elevations in the level of M protein
- Osteolytic lesions
- Low levels of antibodies in the blood
What is the primary goal of managing multiple myeloma?
To control symptoms, reduce complications, and prolong survival
What is ‘induction therapy’ in the context of multiple myeloma treatment?
A combination of drugs used to treat myeloma
What type of transplantation is commonly used in multiple myeloma treatment?
Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation
What is the role of zoledronic acid in multiple myeloma management?
To prevent and manage osteoporosis and fragility fractures
What is the most common cause of epididymo-orchitis in sexually active younger adults?
Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae
What are the clinical features of epididymo-orchitis?
- Unilateral testicular pain
- Swelling
- Urethral discharge (may be present)
What is the most important differential diagnosis to exclude in cases of epididymo-orchitis?
Testicular torsion
What is the recommended management for epididymo-orchitis caused by an STI?
Urgent referral to a local specialist sexual health clinic
What is the standard maintenance fluid requirement for an 80kg patient?
2 litres of water, 80mmol potassium
What is a hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS)?
A medical emergency characterized by severe hyperglycaemia and dehydration
What are the typical clinical features of HHS?
- Polyuria
- Polydipsia
- Lethargy
- Nausea and vomiting
- Altered level of consciousness
What is the recommended initial management for HHS?
Fluid replacement with IV 0.9% sodium chloride solution
What are the major risk factors for erectile dysfunction?
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Diabetes mellitus
- Smoking
- Alcohol use
What is the first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction?
PDE-5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil)
What are common side effects of PDE-5 inhibitors?
- Visual disturbances
- Headache
- Flushing
- Gastrointestinal side effects
What does the presence of blue discolouration of vision indicate?
Use of sildenafil (Viagra)
What is the most common inherited cause of kidney disease?
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)
Affects 1 in 1,000 Caucasians.
What are the two disease loci identified in ADPKD?
PKD1 and PKD2
Code for polycystin-1 and polycystin-2 respectively.
What percentage of ADPKD cases are type 1?
85% of cases.
What chromosome is associated with ADPKD type 1?
Chromosome 16.
What is the screening investigation for relatives of ADPKD patients?
Abdominal ultrasound.
Fill in the blank: Ultrasound diagnostic criteria for patients aged < 30 years with positive family history of ADPKD is _______.
two cysts, unilateral or bilateral.
What treatment option is available for select patients with ADPKD?
Tolvaptan (vasopressin receptor 2 antagonist).
What are the criteria for using tolvaptan in ADPKD treatment?
- Chronic kidney disease stage 2 or 3 at the start of treatment
- Evidence of rapidly progressing disease
- Company provides it with the discount agreed in the patient access scheme.
What is the most significant factor causing anaemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
Reduced erythropoietin levels.
At what GFR level does anaemia usually become apparent in CKD?
Less than 35 ml/min.
What is the target haemoglobin level suggested by NICE guidelines for CKD management?
10 - 12 g/dl.
What is the common cause of anaemia in renal failure?
Reduced erythropoietin levels, reduced absorption of iron, reduced erythropoiesis, and stress ulceration.
What are the basic problems in chronic kidney disease?
- Low vitamin D
- High phosphate
- Low calcium
- Secondary hyperparathyroidism.
What is the most commonly used formula to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)?
Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation.
What variables are used in the MDRD equation?
- Serum creatinine
- Age
- Gender
- Ethnicity.
What are the stages of chronic kidney disease based on GFR?
- Stage 1: > 90 ml/min
- Stage 2: 60-90 ml/min
- Stage 3a: 45-59 ml/min
- Stage 3b: 30-44 ml/min
- Stage 4: 15-29 ml/min
- Stage 5: < 15 ml/min.
Name three common causes of chronic kidney disease.
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Chronic glomerulonephritis
- Hypertension.
What is osteitis fibrosa cystica?
Also known as hyperparathyroid bone disease.
What are the possible features of chronic kidney disease?
- Oedema
- Polyuria
- Lethargy
- Pruritus
- Anorexia
- Insomnia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hypertension.
True or False: ACE inhibitors are first-line treatment for hypertension in CKD.
True.
What is the function of furosemide in CKD?
Useful as an anti-hypertensive, particularly when GFR falls below 45 ml/min.
What dietary management is suggested for high phosphate levels in CKD?
Reduced dietary intake of phosphate.
How should phosphate binders be managed?
- Calcium-based binders
- Sevelamer (non-calcium based binder).
What is the preferred method for quantifying proteinuria in CKD?
Albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR).
What does a confirmed ACR of 3 mg/mmol or more indicate?
Clinically important proteinuria.
What is the management for proteinuria in CKD?
- ACE inhibitors or ARBs
- SGLT-2 inhibitors.
What is minimal change disease often associated with?
Nephrotic syndrome.
What is the primary treatment for minimal change disease?
Oral corticosteroids.
What defines nocturnal enuresis?
Involuntary discharge of urine at night in a child aged 5 years or older.
What is the first-line management for enuresis?
Enuresis alarm.
Name a common cause of polyuria.
- Diabetes mellitus
- Diuretics
- Caffeine and alcohol.
What does diabetes insipidus (DI) refer to?
A condition characterized by excessive urination due to inadequate vasopressin.
What are the common causes of polyuria?
Diuretics, caffeine & alcohol, diabetes mellitus, lithium, heart failure
Common causes occur in more than 1 in 10 patients.
What are the infrequent causes of polyuria?
Hypercalcaemia, hyperthyroidism
Infrequent causes occur in 1 in 100 patients.
What are the rare causes of polyuria?
Chronic renal failure, primary polydipsia, hypokalaemia
Rare causes occur in 1 in 1000 patients.
What is the very rare cause of polyuria?
Diabetes insipidus
Very rare causes occur in less than 1 in 10,000 patients.
What is diabetes insipidus (DI)?
A condition characterized by decreased secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or insensitivity to ADH
Cranial DI and nephrogenic DI are the two main types.
What are the causes of cranial diabetes insipidus?
Idiopathic, post head injury, pituitary surgery, craniopharyngiomas, infiltrative diseases (histiocytosis X, sarcoidosis), DIDMOAD syndrome, haemochromatosis
DIDMOAD is an association of cranial DI, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy, and deafness.
What are the causes of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus?
Genetic mutations, hypercalcaemia, hypokalaemia, lithium, demeclocycline, tubulo-interstitial disease
The more common form affects the vasopressin receptor.
What are the main features of diabetes insipidus?
Polyuria, polydipsia
These symptoms are due to the lack of water reabsorption.
How is diabetes insipidus investigated?
High plasma osmolality, low urine osmolality, water deprivation test
A urine osmolality of >700 mOsm/kg excludes diabetes insipidus.
What is the management for nephrogenic diabetes insipidus?
Thiazides, low salt/protein diet
Central diabetes insipidus can be treated with desmopressin.
What is the most common urological cancer?
Bladder cancer
It most commonly affects males aged between 50 and 80 years.
What increases the risk of bladder cancer?
Smoking, exposure to hydrocarbons, chronic bladder inflammation from Schistosomiasis
Smokers have a 2-5 fold increased risk.
What are the types of bladder malignancies?
Urothelial carcinoma (>90%), squamous cell carcinoma (1-7%), adenocarcinoma (2%)
Urothelial carcinomas may be solitary or multifocal.
What does TNM staging stand for?
Tumor, Node, Metastasis
It is a classification system for cancer staging.
What is the prognosis for T1 bladder cancer?
90%
Prognosis decreases as the stage increases.
What are common risk factors for urothelial carcinoma?
Smoking, exposure to aniline dyes, rubber manufacture, cyclophosphamide
Smoking is the most important risk factor in western countries.
What are the presenting symptoms of bladder cancer?
Painless macroscopic haematuria
Up to 10% of females over 50 with microscopic haematuria may have malignancy.
What is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?
A common condition seen in older men characterized by lower urinary tract symptoms
Around 50% of 50-year-old men will have evidence of BPH.
What are the risk factors for BPH?
Age, ethnicity (black > white > Asian)
BPH symptoms increase with age.