Renal & Endocrine Pathophysiology Flashcards
Covers glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, urinary obstructions, kidney stones, diabetes, insulin/glucagon regulation, and thyroid disorders.
What is glomerulonephritis?
An inflammatory disorder affecting the glomeruli, leading to altered kidney filtration and potential renal failure.
What are the two immune mechanisms implicated in glomerular disease?
1) Direct antibody attack – Antibodies react with fixed glomerular antigens.
2) Immune complex deposition – Circulating antigen-antibody complexes get trapped in the glomerular membrane
What are symptoms of glomerulonephritis?
Hematuria
proteinuria
hypertension
edema
oliguria (reduced urine output).
What is nephrotic syndrome?
A kidney disorder causing:
massive proteinuria (>3.5 g/day),
hypoalbuminemia,
hyperlipidemia,
and edema
What are common causes of nephrotic syndrome?
Diabetes mellitus,
lupus nephritis,
membranous nephropathy,
minimal change disease.
How is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) defined?
Progressive loss of kidney function (GFR <60 mL/min/1.73m² for ≥3 months)
What are the two leading causes of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
Hypertension and diabetes mellitus
What are the consequences of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
Uremia (waste buildup),
metabolic acidosis,
hyperkalemia,
anemia (↓ erythropoietin),
bone disease (↓ vitamin D activation)
What is the best measure of kidney function?
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), estimated using serum creatinine
What are common causes of urinary tract obstruction?
Kidney stones,
tumors,
strictures,
prostate enlargement,
neurogenic bladder
What are kidney stones (nephrolithiasis)?
Solid mineral deposits (calcium oxalate, uric acid) forming in the urinary tract
What are risk factors for kidney stones?
Dehydration,
hypercalcemia,
hyperuricemia (gout),
chronic UTI,
dietary factors (high oxalate foods)
What are symptoms of kidney stones?
Severe flank pain (renal colic),
hematuria,
nausea,
vomiting,
urinary urgency
What causes type 1 diabetes?
Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells, leading to absolute insulin deficiency
What are key features of type 1 diabetes?
Young onset,
insulin dependency,
ketoacidosis risk,
weight loss,
polyuria,
polydipsia,
polyphagia
What is the treatment for type 1 diabetes?
Lifelong insulin therapy,
dietary control,
glucose monitoring
What causes type 2 diabetes?
Insulin resistance + progressive β-cell dysfunction, often associated with obesity and genetic predisposition
How does type 2 diabetes differ from type 1?
Type 1: Absolute insulin deficiency.
Type 2: Relative insulin deficiency (insulin levels may be normal or high, but cells resist insulin)
What are complications of diabetes?
Neuropathy,
nephropathy,
retinopathy,
cardiovascular disease,
diabetic foot ulcers
How is type 2 diabetes treated?
Lifestyle changes,
oral hypoglycemics (metformin),
insulin (if needed),
glucose monitoring
What is the role of insulin?
Promotes glucose uptake,
glycogenesis,
lipogenesis,
and protein synthesis
What is the role of glucagon?
Increases blood glucose via glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.
What hormones oppose insulin action?
Glucagon,
epinephrine,
cortisol,
growth hormone
What is hypothyroidism?
Deficiency of thyroid hormones (T3/T4), leading to slowed metabolism
