Glomerulonephritis

Question 1

What is glomerulonephritis (GN)?

Answer 1

Glomerular injury generally characterised by immune-mediated inflammatory change in the capillaries and basement membrane

Question 2

What is GN caused by?

Answer 2

Systemic disease that complicated glomerulopathy: SLE, vasculitis
Glomerulopathy from within the kidney: leukocyte infiltration, complement activation, antibody deposition all causing inflammation.
Other: Hep B/C, HIV, drugs (eg NSAIDS), diabetes, HTN, malignancy (lung/colorectal), amyloidosis, hereditary (alport’s)

Question 3

How does GN present?

Answer 3

Haematuria
Oedema (generalised)
Oliguria
Lethargy, fever, weight loss, malaise

Question 4

What are the signs of Gn?

Answer 4

Hypertension - decreased GFR + salt/water retention

Oedema

Question 5

What are the consequences of GN?

Answer 5

Worldwide it’s the commonest cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD)
But in Europe it’s the 3rd commonest after diabetes and hypertension.