Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis Health Article

Definition

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis is a form of kidney disease that causes damage to the small structures (glomeruli) inside the kidneys that help filter waste and fluids from blood to form urine. The disease leads to a rapid loss of kidney function.

Alternative Names

Necrotizing glomerulonephritis; Glomerulonephritis - crescentic; Crescentic glomerulonephritis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Many conditions are known to cause or increase the risk for developing rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. These include:

• Abscess of any internal organ
• Anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody disease
• Blood vessel diseases such as vasculitis or polyarteritis
• Collagen vascular disease such as lupus nephritis and Henoch-Schonlein purpura
• Goodpasture syndrome
• IgA nephropathy
• Membranoproliferative GN

The following increase your risk of developing this condition:

• History of cancer
• Blood or lymphatic system disorders
• Exposure to hydrocarbon solvents

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis includes any type of glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the glomerulus) in which progressive loss of kidney function occurs over weeks to months.

The disorder is more common in certain geographic areas. Mini-epidemics of this disorder have also occurred. Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis is most common in people age 40-60, and slightly more common in men. It is unusual in preschool children, and slightly more common in later childhood.

Symptoms

Common symptoms include the following:

• Edema (swelling) of the face, eyes, ankles, feet, legs, or abdomen
• Blood in the urine
• Dark or smoke-colored urine
• Decreased urine volume

Symptoms that may also appear include the following:

• Abdominal pain
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• General ill feeling
• Fever
• Joint aches
• Muscle aches
• Loss of appetite
• Shortness of breath