RPGN, a type of nephritic syndrome, accompanied by extensive glomerular crescent formation that, if untreated, progresses to end-stage renal disease over weeks to months. Our study aims to study the renal biopsy findings in patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and its impact on remission outcome.

Materials and Methods: A hospital based retrospective study conducted for a period of one year after obtaining ethical clearance. Adults with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis on the basis of renal biopsy were included. Light microscopy renal biopsy findings at the baseline were obtained and treatment outcome was analyzed as per the biopsy finding. Treatment outcome identified the remission of the patient with 24-hour urine protein <500 mg/day and serum creatinine <1.4 mg/dl. Quantitative variables were compared using Mann-Whitney Test and qualitative variables were correlated using Chi-Square test/Fisher’s exact test. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: In our study, about two-third of patients (63.64%) had showed no response. About one-fourth (25.45%) of patients showed partial remission and 10.91% had complete remission. Three-fourth of patients who achieved remission in study had sclerosis in < 35% of their glomeruli, and between 50-75% of crescents in their glomeruli, suggesting to be a predictor of response, p<0.05

Conclusion: RPGN is an important cause of renal failure. Renal biopsy findings can correlate with the prognosis of the disease and the treatment outcome. An early referral to nephrologist for early diagnosis and treatment is stressed.

Keywords:  glomerulonephritis, RPGN, nephritic syndrome, renal biopsy.

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Pankaj Banotra

Residents, Department of General Medicine, Government Medical College, Jammu