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Kidney Week

Abstract: SA-PO748

Clinical Profile, Histologic Profile, and Outcome of Patients with Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis: Experience from Ethiopia

Session Information

Category: Glomerular Diseases

  • 1402 Glomerular Diseases: Clinical, Outcomes, and Therapeutics

Author

  • Hailegiorgis, Hamelmal G., Saint Paul Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Background

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is a clinical syndrome defined by the rapid loss of renal function, accompanied by features of the nephritic syndrome with proteinuria, glomerular hematuria, and often oliguria. Although relatively uncommon, early recognition and prompt treatment are crucial to prevent irreversible loss of renal function. Data are scarce regarding RPGN in Africa. This study aims to determine the clinical profile and outcomes of RPGN among patients treated at a tertiary hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted including all eligible RGPN patients who were managed at St. Paul Millennium Medical College from January 2020 to January 31, 2023. Data from 120 RPGN patients was collected. Patient characteristics are presented using frequencies, mean ± standard deviation (SD), or median with Inter Quartile range (IQR) values. To identify predictors of treatment outcome, a multinomial logistic regression analysis was used and an adjusted odds ratio (AOR), with 95% used for the interpretation of the results

Results

120 patients diagnosed with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 40.25 ± 14.6 years. Oliguria and hypertension were the most common presenting symptoms (74.41 and 73.62% respectively).62.5% (n=75) underwent kidney biopsy.Of these 44% showed crescentic RPGN and DPGN in 19 (33.3%) patients. Of the 120 RPGN cases, 28% developed ESRD 13.6% died, and 30.4% achieved CR. Among crescentic RPGN patients, 27.3% developed ESRD,24.2% died, and only 18.2% achieved CR.

Conclusion

In our population, crescentic GN was found to be the most common histopathological diagnosis in patients with clinical RPGN. However, it is important to note that alternative diagnoses without histologic evidence of crescentic GN are also common. Renal histology plays a crucial role in both the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with clinically suspected Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis (RPGN). Routine ancillary serologic tests for this patient group can significantly impact the diagnosis and prognosis of cases.