Epidemiological mapping of primary glomerulopathies in Lima

A single-center observational study.

Abstract

Introduction: Primary glomerulopathies (PG) constitute a heterogeneous group of kidney diseases that primarily affect the glomeruli without an identifiable etiological cause. They present clinically with a wide spectrum of manifestations, ranging from proteinuria, hematuria, and nephrotic syndrome to acute or chronic kidney failure. The epidemiology of GP varies geographically; in Peru, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) has increased significantly, positioning itself as the most prevalent form.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using kidney biopsies from a referral center in Lima between 2006 and 2015. Patients over 18 years of age with a biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of GP were included. Samples were processed for light microscopy and immunofluorescence, classifying glomerular lesions according to their morphological pattern and type of immune deposits.

Results: Of the 1259 GP biopsies, 960 met the inclusion criteria. FSGS was the most common form (67%), followed by membranous glomerulopathy (MG) (21%) and glomerulopathy with a membranoproliferative pattern (MPP) (7%). The annual rate of MG was 13.2 patients per million population.

Conclusion: FSGS has doubled its prevalence in the last decade, displacing MPP, suggesting an epidemiological shift in the Peruvian population.