RENAL MEDICINE Flashcards
What blood tests may you order to investigate a patient’s renal function? (For each you can think of, state what you might be looking for. )
FBC - signs of anaemia, infection
Haematinics - iron, folate, b12 deficiency
U&E - Potassium, urea, creatine, bicarbonate
Bone profile - Calcium, phosphate, PTH, Alkaline Phosphatase, Albumin
CRP - Infection, Inflammation
HbA1c - diabetic control
What urinary tests may you order to investigate a patient’s renal function? (For each you can think of, state what you might be looking for. )
Urine dipstick - infection (leukocytes, nitrites), any pathology of glomerulus (blood, protein)
Urine protein:creatinine ratio - quantifies amount of protein in urine
Urine albumin:creatinine ratio - quantifies amount of albumin
Urine microscopy, culture and sensitivity (MC&S)
What imaging may you order to investigate a patient’s renal function?
US KUB - good for peri-nephric (i.e. around the kidney) collections, size of the kidneys, corticomedullary differentiation, hydronephrosis
What would VBG show for metabolic acidosis?
pH would be low
Bicarb would be low
pCO2 would be normal (maybe low if compensation)
What would VBG show for metabolic alkalosis?
pH would be high
Bicarb would be high
pCO2 would be normal
What causes metabolic alkalosis?
GI losses - vomiting.
Renal losses - primary hyperaldosteronism, tubular transporter defects, diuretics
Intracellular shifts - Hypokalaemia
What is a normal anion gap range?
8-12
What are specific causes of metabolic acidosis? (Split into causes of lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis, GI losses, renal losses and toxins)
Lactic acidosis - due to sepsis, anaerobic exercise, organ ischaemia
Ketoacidosis - diabetic, starvation, alcohol abuse
GI losses of bicarb - diarrhoea
Renal losses of bicarb - renal tubular acidosis, Addison’s
Toxins - Aspirin, Isoniazid (used in TB), see others on pg5 of booklet
Why may a patient have a metabolic acidosis? (HINT: 2 main overarching reasons)
Due to having increased acid OR acidosis due to reduced alkali
What are RF for AKI?
DM
CKD
IHD, CCF (congestive heart/cardiac failure),CVD
Liver disease
Elderly 75+ (Z2F says 65+)
Sepsis
Cognitive impairment
Nephrotoxic Meds - ACEi, ARBs, NSAIDs, Abx
Use of contrast medium e.g. during CT scans
How many stages of AKI are there?
3
How can causes of AKI be grouped?
Pre renal
Intrinsic
Postrenal
Name pre renal causes of AKI
Z2F: Dehydration, Hypotension(shock), HF
Renal Booklet: Hypovolameia
Decreased cardiac output
Decreased effective circulating volume - in CCF, Liver failure
Impaired renal autoregulation - due to NSAIDs, ACEi, ARBs, Cyclosporine
Name intrinsic/renal causes of AKI
Z2F: Glomerulonephritis, Interstitial nephritis, Acute Tubular necrosis
Renal booklet: Acute glomerulonephritis
Ischamia
Sepsis / infection
Vasculitis
Malignant HTN
Nephrotoxins - e.g contrast, haemolysis, cisplatin, aminoglycosides e.g. gentamicin
Name post renal causes of AKI
Z2F: kidney stones, masses, ureter or urethral strictures, BPH, prostate cancer
Renal booklet: Bladder outlet obstruction e.g. renal calculi, BPH
Pelvoureteral obstruction
What is the most important investigation in suspected AKI?
URINE DIP - look for abnormal proteins and blood
(This is according to renal booklet)
Z2F: Urinalysis - protein and blood (for acute nephritis), leucocytes and nitrites (for infection), glucose (for diabetes)
What investigations would you want to do in patient with suspected AKI?
Urine dip
FBC, U&E, LFTs, bone profile, CRP
Urine PCR, Urine MC&S,
USS KUB - look for obstruction
Potential presenting complaint in AKI
Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, tiredness/fatigue, changes to urine colour
How is AKI managed?
Treat underlying cause (prerenal, itrinsic, post renal). Send off investigations
Stop any nephrotoxic agents
Dehydrated? IV fluids
Overloaded? Diuretics
Monitor urine output (catheterise if needed) and daily bloods
Avoid hyperglycaemia
What are indications for renal replacement therapy?
Hyperkalaemia even after medical therapy
Metabolic acidosis even after medical therapy
Fluid overload which is not helped by diuretics
Uraemic pericarditis
Uraemic encephalopathy
Intoxications
What is uraemia?
High urea.
Waste products that should be removed via urination accumulate in the blood. This is due to reduced kidney function
What are signs of uraemic encephalopathy?
Vomiting, confusion, drowsiness, reduced consciousness
What triad of signs are characteristic of nephrotic syndrome?
Oedema
Albumin <30
Unine PCR (protien:creatinine ratio) >350 aka more than 3.5g/24hrs
What are the complications of nephrotic syndrome?
Higher risk of infection
VTE
Progression to CKD
Hypertension
Hyperlipidaemia
What can cause nephrotic syndrome?
Minimal change disease
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Membranous nephropathy
Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis
Amyloidosis, Myeloma, DM
Who does minimal change disease affect?
Children under 6yrs.
Describe the pathophysiology of membranous glomerulonephritis
(AR of Urinary module)
Subepithelial deposition of immune complexes - i.e. these deposit between the basement membrane and podocytes.
This causes thickening of the BM
What conditions can predispose to secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis?
Sickle cell disease
HIV
Heroin abuse
Kidney hyper perfusion
Define AKI
An acute drop in kidney function
How is AKI diagnosed?
By measuring the serum creatinine
What are NICE criteria for AKI?
Rise in creatinine of 25< micromol/L in 48hrs
Rise in creatinine of 50%< in 7 days
Urine output of <0.5ml/kg/hr for more than 6 hours
What are complications of AKI?
Hyperkalaemia
Fluid overload, HF, pulm oedema
Metabolic acidosis
Ureaemia
What are features of nephritic syndrome?
Haematuria
Oliguria
Proteinuria <3.5g/24hr
Fluid retention
Its may also have hypertension
What is the most common cause of primary glomerulonephritis?
IgA nephropathy aka Berger’s disease
What is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in:
a) children?
b) adults?
a) Minimal change disease
b) Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis or in older people = diabetes
A patient with post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis may have ____what?____ in their recent PMH?
Hint: there are 2.
1-2 weeks after tonsillitis/pharyngitis
3-4 weeks after impetigo/cellulitis
What are main treatments for most types of glomerulonephritis?
Immunosupression using steroids
Blood pressure control - ACEi/ARBs
A patient has IgA nephropathy. What may be present in their PMH?
URTI: 1-2 days ago
GI infection
Strenuous exercise
Associated with: alcoholic cirrhosis
coeliac disease/dermatitis herpetiformis
Henoch-Schonlein purpura
In what age groups do Goodpastures syndrome incidence peak?
30s - usually male
60+ - usually female
What is the pathophyisology of Goodpastures Syndrome?
Antibodies against type 4 collagen (in glomerular basement membrane) develop .
What are complications of Goodpastures?
Pulmonary haemorrhage
Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis
Define CKD
Chronic kidney damage which is permanent and progressive.
Have:
- abnormal albumin excretion / decreased kidney function
- present for more than 3 months
What can cause CKD?
DM, HTN, age (decline as age +), glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, medications - NSAIDs, PPIs, lithium. Obstructive nephropathy. Recurrent pyelonephritis
What are RF for CKD?
Older age, HTN, DM, smoking, medications which affect kidney
How does CKD present?
Asymptomatic
Pruritis (itching)
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Oedema
Muscle cramps
Peripheral neuropathy
Pallor
HTN
What investigations would you do for suspected CKD?
1) U&Es - to check eGFR. Need to be 2 tests 3 months apart to confirm ddx of CKD
2) Urinanalysis - urine albumin:creatinine ratio. >3mg/mmol is significant
3) Urine dipstick - haematuria
4) Renal USS
A patient has haematuria. What are your differentials?
Bladder cancer, prostate cancer, CKD, kidney stones, UTI, pylenonephritis, period, acute protastitis, BPH, trauma (depends on context of hx)
Write out/speak aloud stages of CKD (the G score):
G1 = eGFR ?
G2 = eGFR ?
G3a = eGFR ?
G3b = eGFR ?
G4 = eGFR ?
G5 = eGFR ?
G1 = eGFR >90
G2 = eGFR 60-89
G3a = eGFR 45-59
G3b = = eGFR 30-44
G4 = eGFR 15-29
G5 = eGFR <15
In CKD, what is the A score based on?
The ALBUMIN: creatinine ratio
What are the stages involved in the A score in proteinuria?
A1 = ?
A2 = ?
A3 = ?
A1 = <3mg/mmol so normal to mildly increased
A2 = 3-30mg/mmol so moderately increased
A3 = 30+ mg/mmol so severely increased
What eGFR is needed for a diagnosis of CKD?
less than 60
OR proteinuria has to be present
What are complications of CKD?
Anaemia of chronic disease
Renal bone disease
CVD = number 1 cause of mortality!!!
Hyperparathyroidism (secondary or tertiary)
HTN
Malnutrition
Dialysis related problems
Who is needed in MDT meeting to manage patients with CKD?
Renal physicians
GPs
Renal specialist nurses/home care teams
Dieticians
Pharmacists
Vascular/Transplant surgeons
What are main aims of management in CKD?
Slow progression of disease
Reduce CVD risk
Reduce risk of complications
Treat complications
What can be implemented to slow down progression of CKD?
Optimising diabetic control
Optimising HTN control
Treat infections promptly
Immunosuppression for GN
How to reduce the risks of CKD complications?
Main complication is CVD, so advice on this is appropriate:
- Exercise, weight loss/maintain healthy weight,
- Stop smoking
- control BP - so dietary advice regarding sodium and water intake (+potassium and phosphate)
-Advise on starting statin
What dose of atorvastatin is offered for primary prevention of CVD?
20mg
Why do potassium levels need to be monitored in patient with CKD?
CKD can cause hyperkalaemia
ACEi used to treat HTN in CKD also cause hyperkalaemia
Describe how CKD causes anaemia
(the main reasoning taught in Urinary module)
Kidney cells produce erythropoietin (EPO)
EPO is a hormone that stimulates production of RBC
In CKD, kidney cells are damaged = can not produce as much EPO = can not produce as many RBC = anaemia
How can anaemia in CKD be managed?
Measure haematincis - Vit B12, folate, ferritin, iron, transferrin saturation, reticulocyte Hb. If deficient in any of these, replace these first.
- Note: IV iron may be better tolerated than PO
If this does not treat anaemia, discuss with renal team to offer EPO stimulating agents - e.g. exogenous EPO
Aim for Hb of 100-120
What features may be present in CKD MBD (mineral bone disease)?
Osteomalacia
Osteoporosis
Osteosclerosis `
CKD MBD is a complication of CKD. How would you manage this?
Vit D
ESRD is a complication of CKD. How would you manage this?
Dialysis
Renal transplant
What is the most important antigen to match in renal transplant?
HLA-DR
How does Anti-glomerular basement membrane disease (Goodpastures) present?
Typically with haemoptysis + AKI/proteinuria/haematuria
How does an acute graft rejection present?
Presents like infection: fever, rigors Usually picked up by rising creatinine, pyuria and proteinuria
What part of the kidney does Nephrotic syndrome affect?
Glomerulus or Bowman’s capsule
What does proteinuria and/or haematuria indicate?
Damage to the glomerulus
A patient is losing > to 3g in 24hrs of protein in their urine. what conditions could it be?
Diseases that cause Nephrotic syndrome:
Diabetes
Minimal changes disease
Membranous
Focal segmental glomerular sclerosis
Amyloid