ABC Medical Center > Membranous nephropathy

What is Membranous nephropathy?

17:48 - 5 December , 2023

Disease

It is a pathology in which the kidneys’ glomeruli, responsible for filtering waste substances and liquids from the blood, widen and proteins reach the urine, causing kidney damage.

Membranous nephropathy can develop slowly as a reaction of the immune system or due to the presence of some viral infections, such as hepatitis B and C; autoimmune diseases, such as lupus erythematosus; cancer, especially colon and lung cancer; or some medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, it can also occur along with other kidney diseases, such as diabetic nephropathy and glomerulonephritis.

This condition can occur at any age, but it usually appears after the age of 40.

Signs and symptoms Membranous nephropathy

Some people may not have symptoms until the disease is in an advanced stage, but they usually experience:

  • Increase in body weight due to excess fluid.
  • High cholesterol.
  • Hematuria.
  • Creatinine in the blood.
  • Decreased albumin.
  • Edema in any part of the body, especially legs and ankles.
  • Fatigue.
  • Increased protein in the urine.
  • Lack of appetite.
  • Foam in the urine.

Membranous nephropathy risks and complications:

  • High cholesterol.
  • Clot formation, mainly in the legs and lungs.
  • Chronic kidney disease.
  • Recurrent infections due to loss of antibodies.
  • Acute kidney failure.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Nephrotic syndrome.

Diagnosis and treatment Membranous nephropathy

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and request the following tests to make an accurate diagnosis:

  • Analysis of glomerular filtration rate.
  • Antibody analysis.
  • Kidney biopsy.
  • Ultrasound.
  • Blood and urine tests.
  • Cryoglobulin test.
  • MRI.

Treatment will depend on the progression of the disease and will seek to improve symptoms, as well as prevent the disease from evolving through a low sodium and low protein diet, and the intake of anticoagulants, corticosteroids, diuretics, and statins.

In ABC Medical Center Internal Medicine Department, we provide you with health care services with the highest quality and safety, from prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological conditions, both chronic-degenerative and acute, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Fuentes:

  • kidneyfund.org
  • revistanefrologia.com
  • nefrologiaaldia.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • cun.es
  • topdoctors.es
  • mayoclinic.org
  • msdmanuals.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Pazarín-Villaseñor L, Villanueva-Pérez A, Ortiz-López CR. Nefropatía membranosa como causa de síndrome nefrótico posterior a trasplante renal. Rev Mex Traspl. 2017;6(2):75-80.

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