Urogenital Flashcards
What is renal colic?
Pain due to renal calculi (kidney stones)
What are renal calculi/kidney stones also known as?
Nephrolithiasis
Describe the epidemiology of nephrolithiasis
- 10% lifetime risk
- More common in men (2:1)
- Higher prevalence in Middle East
What are 6 causes of nephrolithiasis?
- Urinary (dehydration)
- Infection (proteus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas)
- Hypercalciuria
- Hyperoxaluria
- Uric acid stones
- Cystine stone
What are 6 risk factors for nephrolithiasis?
- Chronic dehydration
- Obesity
- High protein/salt diet
- Recurrent UTIs
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Congenital abnormalities
Describe the pathophysiology of nephrolithiasis (nucleation theory)
- Urine is composed of water (solvent) and particles (solute)
- When solute becomes too concentrated –> supersaturated –> solute precipitates and forms crystals
- Occurs due to an increase in solute or decrease in solvent
What commonly occurs in nephrolithiasis?
Stones cause obstructions leading to hydronephrosis (one/both kidneys become stretched/swollen due to the build-up of urine inside)
What are the 3 most common blockage sites in nephrolithiasis?
- Pelviureteric junction (PUJ) - most common
- Pelvic brim
- Vesicoureteric junction (VUJ)
What 7 things commonly make up the components of kidney stones/renal calculi?
- Calcium oxalate (forms in acidic urine)
- Calcium phosphate (forms in alkaline urine)
- Calcium carbonate
- Struvite (ammonium phosphate)
- Uric acid
- Cystine
- Drug precipitants
What is the main symptom of nephrolithiasis?
Renal colic:
- Severe unilateral abdominal pain
- Starts in loin and radiates to ipsilateral groin/testicle/labia
- Classically onset and early in the morning
What are 4 other symptoms of nephrolithiasis?
- Restlessness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Haematuria (blood in urine)
- Dysuria (painful urination)
What are 4 investigations for nephrolithiasis?
- Non contrast CT KUB (GOLD STANDARD)
- Ultrasound KUB in pregnancy
- Dipstick (haematuria, leucocytes, nitrites)
- Bloods (FBC, CRP, U&Es)
What is the treatment for nephrolithiasis?
- Small enough stones (<5mm) pass on their own
- ESWL (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy - breaks stones into smaller fragments using shockwaves)
- Ureteroscopy PCNL (percutaneous nephrolithotomy - nephroscope used to remove stone)
- Symptomatic relief (NSAIDs/opioids)
- Decrease sodium/protein intake
- Increased citrus fruit
- Rehydration/adequate fluid intake
What are 3 complications of nephrolithiasis?
- Recurrence is common
- Irreversible renal damage
- Long term blockage can cause sepsis
What is acute kidney injury (AKI)?
Rapid deterioration of renal function
Describe the epidemiology of AKI
- 15% of adults admitted to hospital develop AKI
- More common in the elderly
What are 8 risk factors of AKI?
- HTN
- Volume depletion
- CKD
- Diabetes
- Cirrhosis
- Nephrotoxic medications
- Cancer
- Trauma
Describe the pathophysiology of pre-renal AKI
Decreased volume = decreased perfusion = decreased GFR and decreased creatinine clearance
What are 2 pre-renal causes of AKI?
- Low blood volume (bleeding/dehydration/shock/D&V)
- Low effective circulating volume (cirrhosis/congestive HF)
Describe the pathophysiology of glomerular intra-renal AKI
Barrier damage and protein leakage = decreased oncotic pressure = decreased GFR
What is a cause of glomerular intra-renal AKI?
Glomerulonephritis
Describe the pathophysiology of tubular intra-renal AKI
Complex blood supply –> cells infarct –> break away –> plug tubules –> decreased hydrostatic pressure = decreased GFR
What are 3 causes of tubular intra-renal AKI?
Necrosis:
1. Prolonged ischaemia
2. Infection
3. Nephrotoxins
Describe the pathophysiology of interstitial intra-renal AKI
Inflammation and immune cells = damage
What are 3 causes of interstitial intra-renal AKI?
Acute interstitial nephritis:
1. Infection
2. Ischaemia
3. Connective tissue disease
Describe the pathophysiology of vascular intra-renal AKI
- Damaged vasculature = decreased O2 (necrosis)
- Damaged endothelium = RBC breakdown
What are 4 causes of vascular intra-renal AKI?
- Vasculitis
- Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (MAHA)
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
- Haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)
Describe the pathophysiology of post-renal AKI
Back pressure into tubules = decreased hydrostatic pressure = decreased GFR
What are 3 causes of post-renal AKI?
Obstruction:
1. Stones
2. Prostate enlargement (e.g. due to cancer)
3. Infection
What are 3 general signs of AKI?
- High creatinine
- Arrythmia (due to hyperkalaemia)
- Pericarditis (due to uraemia)
What are 2 signs of pre-renal AKI?
- Hypotension
- Oedema
What are 2 signs of intra-renal AKI?
- Infection
- Signs of underlying disease (vasculitis, glomerulonephritis, DM)
What are 2 general symptoms of AKI?
Often asymptomatic
1. Oliguria/anuria (low/no urine output)
2. Muscle weakness (due to hyperkalaemia)
What are 3 symptoms of pre-renal AKI?
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Syncope/pre-syncope
What is a symptom of post-renal AKI?
Lower urinary tract symptoms
What are 3 investigations for AKI?
- Bloods - U&E (eGFR)
- Creatinine
- USS/CT KUB
What is the NICE guidelines for diagnosis of AKI?
- Rise in serum creatinine of 25 umol/L within 48 hours
- 50% rise in serum creatinine from baseline within 7 days
- Fall in urine output to <0.5 mL/kg/hr for >6 hours
What is the treatment for AKI?
- Treat underlying casue
- Fluid balance
- Stop nephrotoxic drugs e.g. NSAIDs, ACEi, metformin, lithium etc.
- Dialysis (if severe)
What are 2 complications of AKI?
- Volume overload
- Metabolic acidosis
What is chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
Long-term, usually progressive impairment of kidney function (>3 months of abnormal kidney structure/function)
Describe the epidemiology of CKD
- Between 6-11%
- More common in females
What are 7 causes of CKD?
- Diabetes
- HTN
- Age-related decline
- Glomerulonephritis
- PKD
- Obstruction (e.g. kidney stones, enlarged prostate)
- Medications
What are the 4/5 most nephrotoxic types of drugs?
- Diuretics
- ACE inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers
- Metformin
- NSAIDs
What are 4 other common nephrotoxic types of drugs?
- PPIs
- Lithium
- Antidepressants
- Antibiotics
What are 6 risk factors for CKD?
- Diabetes
- HTN
- Female
- Increased age
- Smoking
- Nephrotoxic drugs
What are 5 signs of CKD?
- HTN
- Raised JVP
- Anaemia
- Osteomalacia
- Hyperparathyroidism
What are 8 symptoms of CKD?
Often asymptomatic until end-stage
1. Pruritus
2. Loss of appetite
3. Nausea
4. Oedema
5. Muscle cramps
6. Peripheral neuropathy
7. Palpitations
8. Pallor
What are 4 investigations for CKD?
- Bloods - U&E - estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
- Urine albumin:creatinine ratio (proteinuria)
- Urine dipstick (haematuria)
- Renal ultrasound
What is a G score in CKD?
Groupings for eGFR
G1 = >90
G2 = 60-89
G3a = 45-59
G3b = 30-44
G4 = 15-29
G5 <15 (end-stage)
What is an A score in CKD?
Groupings for albumin:creatinine ratio
A1 = <3mg/mmol
A2 = 3-30mg/mmol
A3 = >30mg/mmol
What is needed for a diagnosis of CKD?
eGFR of at least <60 or proteinuria
What is the treatment for CKD?
- Exercise/maintain healthy weight
- Stop smoking
- Dietary restrictions regarding phosphate, sodium, potassium and water intake
- Statins (for primary prevention of CVD)
What is the main treatment aim for CKD?
Slow progression
What are 6 complications of CKD?
- Anaemia
- Renal bone disease (osteodystrophy)
- Encephalopathy
- CVD
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Dialysis related problems
What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
Presence of microorganism in the urinary tract
Describe the epidemiology of UTIs
More common in women due to shorter urethras
What are the 5 most common causes of UTIs?
KEEPS
K - Klebsiella
E - E. Coli (50% of cases)
E - Enterococci
P - Proteus
S - Staphylococcus coagulase negative
What are 2 ways in which UTIs are commonly spread?
- Sexual activity
- Urinary catheter
What does an upper UTI often lead to?
Pyelonephritis (infection and inflammation of the kidney)
What 4 things can a lower UTI lead to?
- Cystitis (infection of urinary bladder)
- Urethritis (inflammation of urethra)
- Epididymo-orchitis (inflammation of epididymis and/or testis)
- Prostatitis (inflammation and swelling of prostate gland)
What is an uncomplicated UTI?
- More common/less severe UTI
- Infection in lower urinary tract/bladder/urethra
What is a complicated UTI?
- Infection extends beyond bladder to the kidneys
- Present with greater morbidity, carry a higher risk of treatment failure and typically require longer antibiotic courses
What are 5 examples of complicated UTIs?
- Males
- Pregnancy
- Result of obstruction
- Hydronephrosis
- Colovesical fistula
What are 7 clinical presentations of pyelonephritis (upper UTI)?
- Fever
- Loin/suprapubic/back pain
- Malaise
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Haematuria
- Renal angle tenderness
What are 5 clinical presentations of lower UTIs?
- Dysuria
- Suprapubic pain
- Frequency/urgency
- Incontinence
- Confusion
What is the investigation for patients with UTIs?
Urine dipstick:
- Nitrites present
- Leukocytes present
What is the treatment for UTIs?
Antibiotics:
- First choice = trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin
- Alternatives = pivmecillinam, amoxicillin, cefalexin
Which patients for UTIs are given a 3 day course of antibiotics?
Women with simple lower UTIs
Which patients for UTIs are given a 5-10 day course of antibiotics?
- Women that are immunosuppressed
- Women that have abnormal anatomy
- Women that have impaired kidney function
Which patients for UTIs are given a 7 day course of antibiotics?
- Men
- Pregnant women
- UTIs catheter related
What are 3 complications of UTIs?
In pregnancy, increased risk of:
1. Pyelonephritis
2. Premature rupture of membranes
3. Pre-term labour
What is nephritic syndrome?
Inflammation within the kidney defined by haematuria, oliguria, proteinuria and hypertension
What are 4 systemic causes of nephritic syndrome?
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
- Small vessel vasculitis (Henoch Schoenlein pupura)
- Goodpasture’s/anti GBM
What is a renal cause of nephritic syndrome?
IgA nephropathy (most common cause in UK/high income countries)
Describe the pathophysiology of nephritic syndrome
- Inflammation cause podocytes to develop large pores
- This allows blood flow into the urine
What are 3 investigations for patients with nephritic syndrome?
- Urine dipstick (haematuria)
- Bloods (elevated ESR and CRP)
- Kidney biopsy (to find cause)
What is the treatment for nephritic syndrome?
- Treat underlying cause
- ACE inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (to reduce proteinuria and preserve renal function)
- Corticosteroids (to reduce inflammation and damage)
What are 2 complications of nephritic syndrome?
- AKI
- Decreased resistance to infection
What is IgA nephropathy (a.k.a Berge Disease)?
Deposition of IgA into the mesangium of the kidney (component of glomerulus) causing inflammation and damage
How does IgA nephropathy present?
Asymptomatically with microscopic haematuria
How is IgA nephropathy diagnosed and treated?
- Biopsy
- Treatment the same as nephritic syndrome
- Fish oil and steroids given if persistent proteinuria after 3-6 months
What is Goodpasture’s disease/anti GBM disease?
Autoimmune disease - autoantibodies (anti-glomerular basement membrane) to type IV collagen in glomerular and alveolar membrane
How does Goodpasture’s disease/anti GBM disease present?
SOB and oliguria
How is Goodpasture’s disease/anti GBM disease diagnosed and treated?
- Anti-GBM antibodies in blood and biopsy
- Plasma exchange, steroids and cyclophosphamide (immune suppression)
What is post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis?
Nephritic syndrome following an infection 3-6 weeks prior due to the deposition of strep antigens in glomeruli causing inflammation and damage
How does post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis present?
Haematuria and acute nephritis
How is post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis diagnosed and treated?
- Find evidence of strep infection (e.g. positive throat swab results)
- Antibiotics to clear strep and supportive care
What is Henoch Schoenlein purpura?
Small vessel vasculitis that affects the kidney and joints due to IgA deposition
How does Henoch Schoenlein purpura present?
Purpuric rash on legs, nephritis symptoms and joint pain
How is Henoch Schoenlein purpura diagnosed and treated?
- Diagnosis confirmed with renal biopsy
- Treated the same as nephritic syndrome = ACE inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers and corticosteroids
What is nephrotic syndrome?
Increased permeability of glomerular basement membrane to proteins
Describe the epidemiology of nephrotic syndrome
- Most common in children aged 2-5
- Twice as common in men
What are 3 primary causes of nephrotic syndrome?
- Minimal change disease (25% of adult causes and most common cause in children)
- Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
- Membranous nephropathy (25% of adult cases)
What are 5 secondary causes of nephrotic syndrome?
DDANI
D - Diabetes
D - Drugs
A - Autoimmune
N - Neoplasia
I - Infection
Describe the pathophysiology of nephrotic syndrome
- Issue with filtration barrier
- Podocytes are primarily implicated and develop gaps
- Protein is able to leak into the urine
What are 5 clinical presentations of nephrotic syndrome?
- FROTHY URINE
- OEDEMA
- Pallor
- Hypoalbuminemia
- Hyperlipidaemia
What are 4 investigations for patients with nephrotic syndrome?
- Urine dipstick (proteinuria >3+ protein)
- Urine protein:creatinine ratio
- Bloods (renal function, elevated lipids, low serum albumin)
- Renal biopsy
What is the treatment for nephrotic syndrome?
- Treat cause
- Manage complications
- Fluid and salt restriction
- Loop diuretics
- ACE inhibitors/ARB
What are 2 complications of nephrotic syndrome?
- Hyperlipidaemia (loss of albumin = increased cholesterol - managed with statins)
- Venous thromboembolism (increase clotting factors - manage with heparin)
How is minimal change disease diagnosed and treated?
- Normal appearance upon microscopy but abnormal function
- Biopsy
- Treat with high dose steroids e.g. prednisolone
What are 4 causes of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis?
- Idiopathic
Secondary to: - HIV
- Heroin
- Lithium
How is focal segmental glomerulosclerosis diagnosed and treated?
- Presence of scarring of glomeruli i.e. focal sclerosis
- Blood pressure control = ACE inhibitors/ARB (all)
- Steroids (idiopathic)