What is thin membrane nephropathy? Thin basement membrane nephropathy (TMN; or thin basement membrane nephropathy, TBMN) is an inherited glomerular due to diffuse thinning of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) from a width of 300 to 400 nm in normal subjects to 150 to 225 nm. It was previously called ‘benign familial haematuria’. Electron microgram […]
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What is contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN)? Key Points Most patients recover from use of radiocontrast (a dye given during some x-rays, like CTs and angiograms) without complications All radiocontrast dyes are nephrotoxic (toxic to the kidneys) Suspect contrast nephropathy if blood creatinine increases 24-48 hours after a contrast study Decrease the risk of contrast nephropathy, particularly
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What is reflux nephropathy? Reflux nephropathy (RN), is also known as vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) or just ‘reflux’. Reflux nephropathy was previously called chronic pyelonephritis But what is it? Reflux is either a congenital (i.e. you are born with it): or acquired condition – where urine flows backward from the bladder into the kidneys, potentially causing
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Itching in haemodialysis patients: what’s it related to? Why is this important? Itching (pruritus) is one of the most uncomfortable symptoms in kidney failure. The causes remain elusive. In a recent study by Sukul, 2023 traditional associations (dialysis dose, renal bone disease) were investigated. What did this study show? 7,976 haemodialysis patients across 21 countries,
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Glomerulus as art CKDEx has more information about what is a glomerulus. They are the tiny filtering units in the kidney. Each kidney has about 1 million glomeruli. Some of these images of glomeruli are from Kamenetsky, 2010.
How is CKD diagnosed? (3 big tests) How do doctors diagnose CKD? We ask ourselves .. “Three big questions, and carry out three big tests to answer these questions.” Three big questions What is the current function of the kidneys? Are the kidneys leaking extra protein? If they are leaking a lot of protein, the
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Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) – meaning and limitations This is an article for those of you who want to know more about GFR – what it is, and its pros and cons. It is a very controversial area. Definition of GFR Glomerular filtration is the first stage of the formation of urine. It is therefore
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Fabry disease – an overview Fabry disease, also known as Anderson–Fabry disease and GLA deficiency, is a rare genetic disease that can affect many parts of the body, including the kidneys, heart, brain, and skin. Fabry disease is one of a group of conditions known as lysosomal storage diseases. Fabry disease affects approximately 1 in
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What are the 10 best immunosuppressants? We will describe what are the 10 best immunosuppressants. Actually there are not really ‘best’ ones, just the most commonly used. That is the focus of this article. Who needs immunosuppressants? You may need immunosuppressants if you have a: Autoimmune disease Solid organ transplant (e.g. kidney for kidney, liver,
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In a recent study by Shen, 2023 patients with combined anti-GBM disease and IgA nephropathy were studied. They are both causes of glomerulonephritis. Why is this important? The combination of anti–glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease and immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is unusual but known to occur. Therefore Shen and colleagues studied such patients. What did
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