Epidemiological profile of glomerulopathies in adults

A single-center cross-sectional study, analysis of a six-year historical series.

Abstract

Introduction: This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence of different types of glomerulopathy among patients aged 18 years or older who underwent renal biopsy at the Metropolitan Hospital of Quito from January 2019 to August 2024.

Materials and methods: Reports of renal biopsies performed between January 2019 and August 2024 were reviewed. All adult patients aged 18 years or older who underwent a renal biopsy during this period were included. Histological diagnoses were classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification, and their overall prevalence was evaluated, as well as their prevalence by gender and age.

Results: A total of 168 renal biopsies were analyzed, revealing a gender distribution of 58.33% male and 41.67% female, with a mean age of 46.81 ± 16.79 years. The most frequent glomerulopathy was focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), with a prevalence of 22.49% across all age groups. Other common diagnoses included IgA nephropathy and membranous glomerulonephritis, both with a prevalence of 13.1%. Among those under 40 years of age, lupus nephritis was the most prevalent at 22.54%, whereas among those over 65 years of age, FSGS was the most prevalent at 31.25%. Additionally, lupus nephritis (27.14%) was more prevalent in women compared to men, who presented with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (25.56%).

Conclusions: Primary glomerulopathies are the third leading cause of chronic kidney disease worldwide. These conditions are potentially treatable if diagnosed early, which can prevent their progression and the subsequent need for dialysis. This study provides valuable information on the distribution and prevalence of glomerulopathies, which is essential for improving diagnosis and treatment in our setting.