Acute kidney injury in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy: influencing factors and prognosis

Aim Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is a common type of nephrotic syndrome, and is associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). We investigated the association of multiple variables with AKI in patients with IMN. Methods The data of 187 patients with biopsy-proven IMN were examined. Renal outcome was defined as progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Binary logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier's analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results During follow-up, 46 (24.6%) patients developed AKI. The incidence of AKI was greater in males than females (p < .01). The AKI group had higher uric acid, lower serum PLA2R antibody positive, and worse baseline kidney function (all p < .01). Most patients in the AKI group had stage I (71.74%) or stage II (21.74%). The AKI group had higher renal tubular injury score and chronicity index (both p < .05). Binary logistic regression indicated that uric acid and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were independent risk factors for AKI in patients with IMN (p < .05). The optimal cutoff value of serum uric acid for predicting AKI was 402.50 mu mol/L and the baseline eGFR was 96.83 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Kaplan-Meier's analysis showed that the cumulative renal survival rate was lower in the AKI group (p = .047). Conclusions AKI increases the risk of poor prognosis in IMN patients and the high uric acid and low baseline eGFR were considered independent predictors for developing AKI in patients with IMN.

Automated summary

This study investigated the association of multiple variables with AKI in patients with IMN. The results showed that the incidence of AKI was higher in males than females, and the AKI group had higher uric acid levels, lower serum PLA2R antibody positive rates, and worse baseline kidney function. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that uric acid and baseline eGFR were independent risk factors for AKI in patients with IMN. The study demonstrated that AKI increases the risk of poor prognosis in IMN patients.