Renal disease • THEME Glomerulonephritis Management in general practice Nicole M Isbel MBBS, FRACP, is Consultant Nephrologist, Princess Alexandra lomerular disease remains an important cause Hospital, Brisbane, BACKGROUND Glomerulonephritis (GN) is an G and Senior Lecturer in important cause of both acute and chronic kidney of renal impairment (and is the commonest cause Medicine, University disease, however the diagnosis can be difficult of end stage kidney disease [ESKD] in Australia).1 of Queensland. nikky_ due to the variability of presenting features. Early diagnosis is essential as intervention can make
[email protected] a significant impact on improving patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE This article aims to develop However, presentation can be variable – from indolent a structured approach to the investigation of patients with markers of kidney disease, and and asymptomatic to explosive with rapid loss of kidney promote the recognition of patients who need function. Pathology may be localised to the kidney or further assessment. Consideration is given to the part of a systemic illness. Therefore diagnosis involves importance of general measures required in the a systematic approach using a combination of clinical care of patients with GN. features, directed laboratory and radiological testing, DISCUSSION Glomerulonephritis is not an and in many (but not all) cases, a kidney biopsy to everyday presentation, however recognition establish the histological diagnosis. Management of and appropriate management is important to glomerulonephritis (GN) involves specific therapies prevent loss of kidney function. Disease specific directed at the underlying, often immunological cause treatment of GN may require specialist care, of the disease and more general strategies aimed at however much of the management involves delaying progression of kidney impairment.