Relative contribution of morphometric and functional indicators of tubulointerstitial lesion to glomerular diseases prognosis.

Background: Early diagnosis of proximal tubular lesions can be achieved by detecting abnormal levels of low molecular weight proteins in urine.

Material And Methods: 100 cases of glomerulopathies were retrospectively studied to establish the profile of urinary levels of retinol-binding protein (urRBP) and their correlation with histological markers of tubulointerstitial lesions in renal biopsies. The histological study included staining with picrosirius red.

Osteopenia in patients with glomerular diseases requiring long-term corticosteroid therapy.

Background: Chronic corticosteroid (CS) use is associated with bone mass loss.

Methods: Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed in 72 patients (25 males/47 premenopausal females) with glomerular diseases, primary (n = 35) or secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 37) with normal renal function, who were taking CS, as prednisone and/or methylprednisolone, in doses > or =7.5 mg/day, for a period of at least 6 months.