Glomerulonephritis in the elderly.

The records of 7086 patients reported to the MRC Glomerulonephritis Registry between 1978 and 1990 were examined; 1368 patients were aged > 60 years at the time of biopsy. In 1978 12% of patients aged > 60 years underwent biopsy, whereas in 1990 30% of patients were aged > 60 years. The most common reasons for biopsy were nephrotic syndrome (31%), acute renal failure (26%) and chronic renal failure (25%). In patients presenting with nephrotic syndrome, the most common histological appearance was membranous nephropathy (36.6%), minimal changes (11%) and amyloidosis (10.7%). Secondary nephrotic syndrome was associated with amyloidosis (32 patients), diabetes mellitus (11 patients) and carcinoma (10 patients). Glomerulonephritis in the elderly is not uncommon and the apparent increasing incidence is most likely due to an increased referral of patients for investigation rather than a true increase in the incidence of this condition.