[Malignant arterial hypertension in periarteritis nodosa. Incidence, clinicobiologic parameters and prognosis based on a series of 165 cases].

The authors studied clinical and biological data occurring in 165 patients observed during 23 years and afflicted with polyarteritis nodosa. Hypertension was present in 52 patients (31.5%) and seven of them suffered from malignant hypertension (4%). Mean age of patients (6 male, 1 female), with malignant hypertension was 38 +/- years old. Mean follow up was 49 +/- 28 months including 26 +/- 21 months after discontinuation of treatment of polyarteritis nodosa. Malignant hypertension occurred during the first year of evolution of polyarteritis nodosa. Renal insufficiency was present in 5 of 7 patients. Proteinuria was greater than 1 gr/d in 4 cases. Renal arteriography was performed in 6 patients and showed in every case renal ischemia and microaneurysms in five. In 4 patients measurements of plasma renin activity and of aldosterone were obtained. A stimulation of those hormones was demonstrated. Some symptoms of polyarteritis nodosa were present with a high incidence in case of malignant hypertension: digestive signs (6/7), orchitis (3/6). HBs antigen was present in 6 cases and hepatitis in 5. Captopril was effective in every case, alone or associated with other treatments. Follow up of hypertension went from 8 months to 4 years. At present time 6 patients are alive and one is lost of follow up. A treatment is necessary in 6 of 7 patients. Creatininemia is greater than 300 micromol/l in 4 patients. A successful kidney transplantation was performed in one case. Our study shows a close relation between malignant hypertension observed in polyarteritis nodosa, vascular nephropathy, digestive and urologic signs. Hepatitis B virus could be responsible of those manifestations.