Morphological patterns of glomerular disease in Mexico: Report of a reference center in nephropathology

Abstract

Introduction: In Mexico, chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a major health problem, and glomerulopathies (GP) represent the third leading cause of CKD. Aim: From a database of native kidney biopsies (KB), describe the different morphological patterns of GP in Mexico. Methods: Records of native KB in a nephropathology referral center were evaluated by a single nephropathologist. The final diagnosis in each case was based on clinical parameters and histopathological findings. Results: 2084 KB were analyzed, patients were 34.4±17.6 years of age, there were 1085 KB (52.1%) in females; nephrotic syndrome was most frequent in males (p<0.001), and nephritic syndrome was more frequent in females (p <0.001). Primary GP and túbulo-interstitial diseases were most diagnosed in males (p <0.01). Lupus nephritis (LN) was the most-reported secondary GP. Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) was the primary GP most often diagnosed in both genders. The most frequently detected vascular disease was immunoglobulin A vasculitis. Nephrotic syndrome was the most frequent indication for KB (42.9%), followed by: nephritic syndrome (23.9%), isolated proteinuria (16.4%), acute kidney injury (8.7%), asymptomatic urinary alterations (6.2%), and CKD (1.8%). Conclusions: The most frequently observed primary GP was FSGS, and LN was the most frequent secondary GP, predominantly in females, and IgA nephropathy was observed more frequently in comparison with other series published in Mexico. There were significant differences in GP presentation in relation to patient sex and age.