| Theme | Importance of Preservative Management in Chronic Renal Failure -- for a Better Dialysis | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis | |
| Publish Date | 2004/06 | |
| Author | Yuko Hirano | Department of Nephrology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba |
| Author | Kunihiro Yamagata | Department of Nephrology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba |
| Author | Akio Koyama | Department of Nephrology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba |
| [ Summary ] | Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is the most severe form of nephritis syndrome. Recently, the number of patients with this disease has increased, especially in elderly patients with myeloperoxidase (MPO) type anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in their serum. The prognosis for RPGN is still poor; consequently, RPGN is considered one of the major primary renal diseases requiring maintenance dialysis therapy in Japan. Patients with MPO-ANCA positive RPGN often relapsed, even after maintenance dialysis was introduced. Therefore, careful observation and treatment are required for these patients. | |