1.Pattern of biopsy-proven renal disease in Sabah: A retrospective cross-sectional study over 3.5 years
Lee Ai Vuen ; Pang Hoong Chee ; Sharon Linus Lojikip ; Wong Koh Wei ; Goh Kheng Wee ; Chan Fei Sia
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(2):152-157
Objectives: To explore the epidemiological and
histopathological patterns of glomerular diseases in Sabah.
Methods: A state-wide cross-sectional study was
conducted. There were 336 native renal biopsies in 296
eligible patients from 1st January 2013 to 30th June 2016. All
patients aged ≥12 years with sufficient sampling (≥8
glomeruli) for histopathological assessment were included.
Graft kidney biopsies, protocol-based biopsies and patients
with uncertain demographics were excluded. Demographics
of patients, clinical data, laboratory parameters prior to
biopsy, and histology findings of renal biopsies were
collected from local unit database and recorded into a
standardised data collection form. Descriptive statistical
analyses were employed and factors associated with Lupus
nephritis (LN) were explored using logistic regression.
Results: The mean age during biopsy was 34.53 years
(Standard Deviation 0.759). Primary glomerulonephritis
(PGN) accounted for 42.6% (126) of all native renal biopsies.
The commonest cause of PGN was minimal change disease
(38.9%, 49) followed by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
(33.3%, 42) and IgA nephropathy (14.3%, 18). LN is the
leading cause for secondary glomerulonephritis (SGN)
(87.2%, 136). Younger age (Odds Ratio, OR 0.978; 95%
Confidence Interval, 95%CI 0.960, 0.996); female gender (OR
17.53; p<0.001); significant proteinuria (OR 132.0; p<0.001);
creatinine level at biopsy (OR 11.26; p=0.004); positive
antinuclear antibody (ANA) (OR 46.7; p<0.001); and ANA
patterns (OR 8.038; p=0.018) were significant in predicting
the odds of having LN.
Conclusion: This is the first epidemiology study of
glomerular diseases in Sabah. The predominance of LN
suggests lower threshold for renal biopsy in patients with
suspected glomerular disorders. We have identified
significant predictors for early detection and treatment of
LN