Comparative analysis of primary and secondary glomerulopathies in the northeast of Brazil: data from the Pernambuco Registry of Glomerulopathies - REPEG / Análise comparativa de glomerulopatias primária e secundária no nordeste do Brasil: dados do Registro Pernambucano de Glomerulopatias - REPEG

Abstract Introduction: In Brazil, glomerulopathies are the third leading cause of chronic renal disease, accounting for 11% of dialysis patients. Studies on the prevalence of this disease in Northeastern Brazil are scarce. Objective: The aim was to describe the findings of biopsies and to conduct a comparative analysis on the clinical laboratory presentation of primary glomerulopathies (PG) and secondary glomerulopathies (SG). Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted at two public teaching hospitals in the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. Results: A total of 1151 biopsies performed between 1998 and 2016 were analyzed. The sample consisted of 670 biopsies of native kidneys, after excluding extra glomerular diseases and unsuitable material. PG were more frequent than SG (58% vs. 42%). There was a prevalence among PG of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (43%). Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and collapsing glomerulopathy, accounted for 9% and 3% of the PG, respectively. For SG, the main etiologies were lupus nephritis (67%) and infections (10%). Female sex, hematuria and an elevated level of creatinine were related to a greater chance of SG, at multivariate analysis. An increase of proteinuria reduced this chance. Nephrotic syndrome was more common among the PG, while urinary abnormalities and nephritic syndrome prevailed in patients with SG. Conclusion: This is the first registry of glomerulopathies in Northeastern Brazil. It also presents a comparative analysis of the main clinical laboratory abnormalities of PG and SG, and includes the current classifications of glomerular diseases.

Resumo Introdução: No Brasil, glomerulopatias são a terceira causa de doença renal crônica terminal, responsáveis por 11% dos pacientes em diálise. Entretanto, estudos sobre a prevalência desta patologia no nordeste do Brasil são escassos. Objetivo: O objetivo foi descrever os achados das biópsias e analisar comparativamente a apresentação clínico laboratorial entre as glomerulopatias primárias (GP) e as glomerulopatias secundárias (GS). Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, realizado em dois hospitais públicos de ensino do estado de Pernambuco, nordeste do Brasil. Resultados: Foram avaliadas 1.151 biópsias, de 1998 a 2016. A amostra foi composta por 670 biópsias de rins nativos, após exclusão de patologias extra glomerulares e materiais inadequados. GP foram mais frequentes do que GS (58% × 42%). Dentre as GP, houve predomínio de glomeruloesclerose segmentar e focal (GESF). Glomerulonefrite membranoproliferativa e glomerulopatia colapsante foram responsáveis por 9% e 3% das GP, respectivamente. Das GS, as etiologias principais foram nefrite lúpica (67%) e infecciosas (10%). Sexo feminino, hematúria e nível elevado de creatinina estiveram relacionadas a uma maior chance de GS na análise multivariada. Síndrome nefrótica foi mais comum dentre as GP, já anormalidades urinárias e síndrome nefrítica prevaleceram nos pacientes com GS. Conclusões: Este é o primeiro registro de glomerulopatias do nordeste do Brasil. Demonstrou-se também uma análise comparativa das principais alterações clínico laboratoriais das GP e GS, com classificações atualizadas das doenças glomerulares.

Liver enzymes in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to analyze the serum levels of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and the hematocrit in patients with chronic kidney disease who were undergoing peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients on peritoneal dialysis and 40 on hemodialysis were assessed, and the patients were matched according to the length of time that they had been on dialysis. Blood samples were collected (both before and after the session for those on hemodialysis) to measure the enzymes and the hematocrit. RESULTS: In the samples from the patients who were undergoing peritoneal dialysis, the aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels were slightly higher compared with the samples collected from the patients before the hemodialysis session and slightly lower compared with the samples collected after the hemodialysis session. The levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase in the hemodialysis patients were slightly higher than the levels in the patients who were undergoing peritoneal dialysis. In addition, the levels of aminotransferases and gamma-glutamyl transferase that were collected before the hemodialysis session were significantly lower than the values collected after the session. The hematocrit levels were significantly lower in the patients who were on peritoneal dialysis compared with the patients on hemodialysis (both before and after the hemodialysis session), and the levels were also significantly lower before hemodialysis compared with after hemodialysis. CONCLUSION: The aminotransferase levels in the patients who were undergoing peritoneal dialysis were slightly higher compared with the samples collected before the hemodialysis session, whereas the aminotransferase levels were slightly lower compared with the samples collected after the session. The hematocrits and the aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels of the samples collected after the hemodialysis session were significantly higher than the samples collected before the session. Taken together, the present data suggest that hemodilution could alter the serum levels of liver enzymes.

Prevalence of persistent proteinuria in stable HIV/AIDS patients and its association with HIV nephropathy

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related glomerular disease is a cause of end-stage renal disease, though there is no recent data from Brazil concerning this syndrome. Persistent proteinuria (PPt) is the main marker for glomerular disease, especially levels above 1.5 g. We examined the prevalence of and associated risk factors for PPt, along with the prevalence of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) among AIDS patients. We interviewed 411 patients who were attended at the HIV/AIDS section of the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Pernambuco (Brazil) from January through June 2004. PPt was defined as a positive urine dipstick exam on at least two occasions. The analyzed risk factors were: black race, a low CD4 lymphocyte count (<200 cells/mm³), an HIV RNA level of >100,000 copis/mL and patients on highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The patients were classified according to urineary protein/creatinine ratio (Up/Uc) < 1.0, 1.0-3.0 and > 3.0. Patients with Up/Uc >3.0 were submitted to renal biopsy. Among the 411 HIV/AIDS patients, the mean age was 37 years, 70 percent were male, 37.5 percent were black, the mean CD4 count was 363 cells/mm³ (± 95), the mean RNA HIV count was 44,475 copies/mL (± 40,369), and 92 percent were on HAART. The prevalence of PPt was 5.6 percent (95 percent CI = 3.6 to 8.3 percent), and it was significantly associated with a low CD4 lymphocyte count (p<0.048). HIVAN was found in just one patient, and two patients improved after HAART.