Chronic glomerulonephritis is the advanced stage of a group of kidney disorders, resulting in inflammation and gradual, progressive destruction of the glomeruli (internal kidney structures).

Glomerulonephritis - chronic; Chronic nephritis

Chronic glomerulonephritis occurs when there is slow, progressive destruction of the glomeruli of the kidney, with progressive loss of kidney function. In some cases, the cause is found to be a specific attack to the body's immune system, but in most cases, the cause is unknown (it is generally thought that a still-unidentified abnormality of the immune system is to blame). This condition causes high blood pressure (hypertension)  and chronic kidney failure.

Damage to the glomeruli means that the kidneys don't filter properly. This results in blood and protein in the urine. Because symptoms develop gradually, the disorder may be discovered when there is an abnormal urinalysis during a routine physical or during an examination for another, unrelated disorder. It may be discovered as a cause of high blood pressure that is difficult to control.

Glomerulonephritis is among the leading causes of chronic kidney failure and end stage kidney disease. If a kidney biopsy is performed early on, it may be possible to reach a precise diagnosis of the cause, such as membranous glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy (Berger's disease), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, mesangial proliferative disorder, diabetic nephropathy/sclerosis, lupus nephritis, or nephritis associated with disorders such as amyloidosis, multiple myeloma, or immune disorders including AIDS.

This condition may develop after survival of the acute phase of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. In about one-quarter of people with chronic glomerulonephritis there is no prior history of kidney disease, and the disorder first appears as chronic kidney failure.

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Kidney anatomy

Review Date: 09/13/2005
Reviewed By: Robert Mushnick, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, SUNY Downstate Health Center, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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