Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis

Question 1

What does rapidly progressive GN describe?

Answer 1

• rapid loss of renal function
• associated formation of epithelial crescents in the majority of glomeruli

Question 2

Causes of rapidly progressive GN

Answer 2

Goodpasture’s syndrome
Wegener’s granulomatosis

others:
- SLE
- microscopic polyarteritis

Question 3

Clinical features of rapidly progressive GN

Answer 3

nephritic syndrome:
- haematuria with red cell casts,
- proteinuria
- hypertension
- oliguria

+ features specific to underlying cause
e.g. haemoptysis with Goodpasture’s
e.g. vasculitic rash/ sinusitis with Wegener’s