The clinical characteristics of Takayasu's arteritis with glomerulonephropathy / 中华内科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical features of Takayasu's arteritis (TAK)with glomerulonephropathy and to improve physicians' understanding of this complication in patients with TAK. Methods Clinical data were retrospectively collected including manifestations, laboratory tests, image findings and treatment of 8 patients diagnosed as Takayasu's arteritis with glomerulonephropathy from January 2002 to January 2017 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Results Glomerulonephropathy was confirmed based on percutaneous renal biopsy. There were 6 women and 2 men. The median onset age and median disease duration were 24 (18-37) years and 42 (3-360) months, respectively. Five patients had hypertension. The 24 hour urinary protein was 0.18-14.91 g. Red blood cells and casts in urine were tested among 4 and 2 patients, respectively. Three patients had renal artery stenosis. Three patients demonstrated mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, two with IgA nephropathy, two with minimal change disease and one with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Seven patients received glucocorticoid combined with cyclophosphamide therapy (glucocorticoid 40-60 mg/d, prednisone or equivalent; cyclophosphamide 0.4 g/week iv. or cyclophosphamide 0.1 g/d po.). Uninary blood cells removed and 24 hour urinary protein decreased from 1.65 g to 0.90 g after treatment for 12 months in one patient. The other 7 patients were missing. Conclusion Glomerulonephropathy is occasionally observed among TAK patients. Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis is the most common pathological subtype. Glucocorticoid combined with cyclophosphamide therapy could be an optional therapy for Takayasu's arteritis with glomerulonephropathy.