BACKGROUND/AIMS: The number of elderly patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) is increasing. This study aimed to assess the implications of renal biopsy on the outcomes in elderly patients with NS. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients diagnosed with NS who were over 60 years of age were reviewed. Secondary NS related to diabetes was excluded. Histopathological diagnosis, comparison of outcomes between the biopsied group (n = 64) and the nonbiopsied group (n = 35) and factors affecting renal survival were evaluated. RESULTS: The biopsied group was significantly younger and had better renal function than the nonbiopsied group. More patients in the biopsied group than in the nonbiopsied group received immunosuppressive treatment (76.6 vs. 42.9%, p < 0.005), and achieved complete remission (45.3 vs. 26.5%, p = 0.013). The complication rates and renal survival rates were not different between the two groups, but the patient survival rates were significantly higher in the biopsied group (p < 0.005). Predictors for renal survival were renal function at diagnosis and response to treatment. CONCLUSION: Renal biopsy is essential for a correct diagnosis and directed therapeutic approach in elderly patients with NS and may improve the clinical outcomes of these patients.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The number of elderly patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) is increasing. This study aimed to assess the implications of renal biopsy on the outcomes in elderly patients with NS. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients diagnosed with NS who were over 60 years of age were reviewed. Secondary NS related to diabetes was excluded. Histopathological diagnosis, comparison of outcomes between the biopsied group (n = 64) and the nonbiopsied group (n = 35) and factors affecting renal survival were evaluated. RESULTS: The biopsied group was significantly younger and had better renal function than the nonbiopsied group. More patients in the biopsied group than in the nonbiopsied group received immunosuppressive treatment (76.6 vs. 42.9%, p < 0.005), and achieved complete remission (45.3 vs. 26.5%, p = 0.013). The complication rates and renal survival rates were not different between the two groups, but the patient survival rates were significantly higher in the biopsied group (p < 0.005). Predictors for renal survival were renal function at diagnosis and response to treatment. CONCLUSION: Renal biopsy is essential for a correct diagnosis and directed therapeutic approach in elderly patients with NS and may improve the clinical outcomes of these patients.
Authors: L R Soares; J M S Pantoja Junior; L B Jorge; L Yu; L B Cavalcante; D M A C Malheiros; V Woronik; C B Dias Journal: Braz J Med Biol Res Date: 2022-02-28 Impact factor: 2.590