OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether massive proteinuria in preeclampsia is associated with maternal and fetal complications. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 233 patients who were diagnosed with preeclampsia. We divided the preeclamptic patients into three groups based on the amount of proteinuria: massive (≥5 g/24 hr), moderate (2 to 5 g/24 hr) and mild (<2 g/24 hr) proteinuria group. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and maternal and neonatal complications among three groups. RESULTS: Gestational age at diagnosis and delivery were lower in women with massive and moderate proteinuria group than women with mild proteinuria group (31.5±3.1 vs. 32.3±3.6 vs. 34.0±3.5 weeks, P<0.001 for gestational weeks at diagnosis; 34.6±3.6 vs. 35.1±4.1 vs. 36.9±4.0 weeks, P=0.001 for gestational age at delivery). In maternal complications, the incidences of pleural effusion and retinal detachment were significantly different among three groups (29.9% vs. 22.4% vs. 9.0%, P=0.004 for pleural effusion; 11.5% vs. 3.0% vs. 1.3%, P=0.009 for retinal detachment). Creatinine levels were higher and albumin levels were lower in the massive proteinuria group than in the moderate and mild groups. However, other maternal and neonatal complications were not significantly different among three groups. CONCLUSION: Massive proteinuria might be associated with renal albumin excretion-related morbidity, such as pleural effusion, retinal detachment, and low serum albumin levels. Furthermore, it was associated with early-onset preeclampsia and early delivery.
Creatinine ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pleural Effusion ; Pre-Eclampsia* ; Pregnancy Complications ; Proteinuria* ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinaldehyde ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the association between platelet indices including plateletcrit (PCT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and proteinuria associated with hypertension (HT) as well as the relative power of each to predict proteinuria. METHODS: The study included 223 patients (68 men and 155 women) with primary HT. PCT, MPV, PDW, and proteinuria levels were measured. The patients were divided into two groups according to proteinuria status based on 24-hr urinary protein excretion: proteinuria (+) group (15 men and 40 women) and proteinuria (-) group (53 men and 115 women). RESULTS: The mean and SD of platelet count, PDW, PCT, and MPV were 278.8+/-49.6x10(9)/L, 13.5+/-1.8%, 0.31+/-0.07%, and 11.3+/-2.6 fL, respectively. The mean platelet count, PCT, MPV, and PDW were significantly higher in the proteinuria (+) group than in the proteinuria (-) group (P<0.05); there were no significant differences in the other blood parameters between the two groups. The platelet count, PCT, MPV, and PDW were independent risk factors predictive of proteinuria according to a stepwise regression analysis of PDW, PCT, and MPV. PCT was the strongest independent predictor of proteinuria. CONCLUSIONS: The platelet indices PCT, PDW, and MPV were significantly higher in patients with proteinuria than in those without it. Among these three indices, PCT was the strongest predictor of proteinuria.
Adult ; Aged ; Area Under Curve ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Platelets/*cytology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/complications/*diagnosis ; Male ; Mean Platelet Volume ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Count ; Proteinuria/*complications ; ROC Curve ; Retrospective Studies ; Turkey

It is known that blood pressure variability (BPV) can independently affect target organ damage (TOD), even with normal blood pressure. There have been few studieson chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. We evaluated the relationship between BPV and TOD in a cross-sectional, multicenter study on hypertensive CKD patients. We evaluated 1,173 patients using 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. BPV was defined as the average real variability, with a mean value of the absolute differences between consecutive readings of systolic blood pressure. TOD was defined as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (by the Romhilt-Estes score > or =4 in electrocardiography) and kidney injury (as determined from an estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]<30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and proteinuria).The mean BPV of the subjects was 15.9+/-4.63 mmHg. BPV displayed a positive relationship with LVH in a univariate analysis and after adjustment for multi-variables (odds ratio per 1 mmHg increase in BPV: 1.053, P=0.006). In contrast, BPV had no relationship with kidney injury. These data suggest that BPV may be positively associated with LVH in hypertensive CKD patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure/*physiology ; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension/*complications/*diagnosis ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/*physiopathology ; Kidney/injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Proteinuria/complications ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/*complications/*diagnosis

To analyze the characteristic of urinary protein spectrum in patients with stage III diabetic nephropathy (DN) and its compliance with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)symptom, for the sake of providing a basis for clarifying the rules of TCM syndrome differentiation in DN. Adopting the traditional epidemiological retrospective method, thirty-eight TCM syndromes and urinary protein with medium or low molecular weight, as well as urinary enzyme, including 24 h urinary protein (Upro), urinary albumin( UAlb), urinary retinal binding protein( URBP), urinary cystatin C (UCysC), urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (UNAG), were collected from 108 patients with stage III DN, and a multiple factor regression analysis between them was conducted. As the results, the levels of Upro, UAlb, URBP, UCysC, and UNAG were increased in 108 patients with stage III DN. Qi-Yin deficiency type was the major type. The level of UAlb in patients with Qi-Yin deficiency type was significantly higher than those without Qi-Yin deficiency type (P < 0.05). The elevation of Upro with the factors as swift digestion with rapid hungering, lassitude and lack of strength, weakness of waist and knees was complied, the elevation of UA1b with the factors as dry mouth with desire to drink, the elevation of URBP with the factors as numbness of extremities, shortness of breath, the elevation of UCysC with the factors as clear urine in large amounts, and the elevation of UNAG with the factors as frequent micturition, were complied respectively. In conclusion, for 108 stage III DN patients. The increase in urinary protein spectrum including UAlb, URBP, UCysC, and UNAG is the major characteristic. Shen and Pi are the major organs related to the appearance of urinary protein; Pi-Shen deficiency is the basic pathogenesis. The level of UAlb is taken as one of the objective syndrome factors for Qi-Yin deficiency type. The levels of UNAG and UCysC are possibly the objective syndrome factors for Shen-Qi deficiency type.
Diabetic Nephropathies ; complications ; diagnosis ; urine ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Proteinuria ; complications ; urine ; Qi ; Regression Analysis ; Yin-Yang

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS), or allergic granulomatosis, is a rare disease manifested by tissue infiltration, hypereosinophilia and vasculitis. Renal involvement may be seen in up to 50% of cases. We report the case of a 25-year old man who presented with a history of fever for two months, tingling, numbness, and paraesthesia of the upper limbs and left lower limb, along with diarrhoea for one month and an inability to walk for the past seven days. Serial laboratory investigations helped to reach the final diagnosis of CSS with mononeuritis multiplex, and skin, pulmonary and gastrointestinal involvement with hypertension. This is due to renal involvement in the form of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis without any nephrotic range proteinuria, which is a very rare clinical entity. The patient's symptoms were relieved after the administration of an unconventional mode of therapy.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Churg-Strauss Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; Fever ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; complications ; Male ; Proteinuria ; diagnosis ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Skin ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEAnti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is a disorder with poor prognosis. This study aimed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of ANCA associated vasculitis of children, to analyze the clinical features, pathological characteristics and the prognosis of children with ANCA-associated vasculitis.

METHODFifteen children with ANCA associated vasculitis who were hospitalized from 2003 to 2012 in our hospital were included. Their data of pre-diagnosis status, clinical manifestations, renal pathology, treatment and prognosis were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTOf the 15 children, 11 were girls and 4 boys with a mean age of 10.7 years. Fourteen children were categorized as microscopic polyangitis. The time to diagnosis varied from 0.5 month to 40 months. Hematuria and proteinuria were revealed by urine analysis in all of them, only 6 children complained with gross hematuria or edema of oliguria. Decreased glomerular filtration rate was revealed in 13 children, 8 of whom had a creatinine clearance rate of less than 15 ml/(min·1.73 m(2)). Twelve children underwent renal biopsy, crescent formation was found in 11 children. Most of the crescents were cellular fibrous crescents or fibrous crescents. Six children were diagnosed as crescentic nephritis; the process of rapidly progressive nephritis was only observed in 2 children. Segmental glomerulosclerosis or global glomerulosclerosis were found in 10 children, 3 of them were diagnosed as sclerotic glomerulonephritis. Anemia and pulmonary injury were the most common extra renal manifestations. Other extra renal manifestations included rash, pain joint, gastrointestinal symptoms, abnormal findings of cardiac ultrasonography and headache. Eight children were treated with steroid combined with cyclophosphamide, 4 were treated with steroid and mycophenolate mofetil, 2 were treated with steroid, cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil, 3 children were treated with plasma exchange. Fourteen children were followed up for 0.5 month to 4 years. The renal function did not recover in children with creatinine clearance rate of less than 30 ml/(min·1.73 m(2)), who showed crescentic glomerulonephritis or sclerotic glomerulonephritis. The children who had creatinine clearance rate of more than 30 ml/(min·1.73 m(2))had better prognosis.

CONCLUSIONMore attention should be paid to ANCA-associated vasculitis among school age girls with anemia or pulmonary diseases. The renal damage was serious in children; however, the clinical manifestations were not obvious. Children with a creatinine clearance rate of less than 30 ml/(min·1.73 m(2)) had poor prognosis. Early accurate diagnosis is very important.

Adolescent ; Anemia ; etiology ; pathology ; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis ; complications ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic ; blood ; immunology ; Biopsy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Creatinine ; blood ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; pathology ; Hematuria ; etiology ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Kidney Function Tests ; Male ; Nephritis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Proteinuria ; etiology ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Behcet's disease (BD) theoretically affects all sizes and types of blood vessels and results in multi-organ involvement. However, renal BD has not been fully characterized, though the kidneys are histologically rich in blood vessels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2007 patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for BD were enrolled in this study. We reviewed the medical records and test results of the BD patients and used univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine the clinical significance of renal involvement in BD. RESULTS: Among the 2007 BD patients, we noted hematuria in 412 (20.5%) and proteinuria in 29 (1.4%). Univariate analysis showed that the BD patients with hematuria were predominantly female and older, had higher erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESRs), and more frequently presented with genital ulcerations. BD patients with proteinuria had higher ESR levels compared to BD patients without proteinuria. In the multivariate analysis, age, sex, and ESR were found to be significantly associated with hematuria in BD patients, whereas only ESR was associated with proteinuria in BD patients. We also found that IgA nephropathy was the most common pathologic diagnosis in 12 renal BD patients who underwent renal biopsies. CONCLUSION: We suggest that routine urinalysis and serum renal function tests be performed for the early detection of renal BD, especially in older female BD patients with recurrent hematuria, high ESR levels, and frequent genital ulcers, as well as in BD patients with proteinuria and high ESR levels.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Behcet Syndrome/*complications/epidemiology/*metabolism ; Biopsy ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA/complications/diagnosis ; Hematuria/complications/diagnosis ; Humans ; Kidney/*pathology ; Kidney Diseases/*diagnosis ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Proteinuria/complications/diagnosis ; Republic of Korea ; Young Adult

Various forms of hypogammaglobulinemia can occur in patients with autoimmune diseases and vice versa. We report a 13-yr-old boy with membranous nephropathy and common variable immunodeficiency. He presented with the nephrotic syndrome, pneumonia with bronchiectasis, and profound hypogammaglobulinemia. Renal biopsy showed diffusely thickened glomerular capillary walls with 'spikes' suggesting a membranous nephropathy. Secondary causes were ruled out by laboratory studies; however, heavy proteinuria persisted with steroid therapy. Cyclosporine and intravenous immunoglobulin were added, and the patient was discharged with decreased proteinuria. Hypogammaglobulinemia may have a deleterious impact on the immune dysregulation in some patients with membranous nephropathy.
Adolescent ; Bronchiectasis/etiology ; Common Variable Immunodeficiency/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Cyclosporine/therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranous/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins/therapeutic use ; Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use ; Injections, Intravenous ; Kidney/pathology ; Male ; Pneumonia/etiology ; Proteinuria/etiology ; Steroids/therapeutic use

Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chloride Channels ; genetics ; Dent Disease ; complications ; diagnosis ; genetics ; therapy ; Diuretics ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hydrochlorothiazide ; therapeutic use ; Hypercalciuria ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Mutation ; genetics ; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases ; genetics ; Proteinuria ; diagnosis ; etiology ; genetics

Glomerulonephritis occurs as a rare form of renal manifestation in Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Herein, we report a case of falciparum malaria-associated IgA nephropathy for the first time. A 49-yr old male who had been to East Africa was diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Microhematuria and proteinuria along with acute kidney injury developed during the course of the disease. Kidney biopsy showed mesangial proliferation and IgA deposits with tubulointerstitial inflammation. Laboratory tests after recovery from malaria showed disappearance of urinary abnormalities and normalization of kidney function. Our findings suggest that malaria infection might be associated with IgA nephropathy.
Acute Kidney Injury/etiology/pathology ; Antimalarials/therapeutic use ; Creatinine/blood ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA/*diagnosis/*etiology ; Hematuria/etiology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A/*metabolism ; Malaria/*complications/drug therapy/*pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plasmodium falciparum/*isolation & purification ; Proteinuria/etiology ; Quinine/therapeutic use