Membranous glomerulonephritis, also called membraneous nephropathy or membraneous nephritis, is a kidney disorder. It affects the part of the kidney that removes excess fluids and waste products from the bloodstream. Most patients suffer permanent kidney damage from the disease.
The glomerular basement membrane is the part of the kidney that acts as a filter for toxins, extra fluid and waste materials. Membranous glomerulonephritis occurs when this membrane thickens. The damage causes protein deposits to form in the urine.
The disorder occurs more frequently in individuals who are more than 40 years old. Caucasians and males are at higher risk than women and people from other races. Children are rarely affected.
The symptoms begin gradually but increase in intensity as the disease progresses. Some of the symptoms of membranous glomerulonephritis include unexplained swelling in the face and legs, a loss of appetite and energy and an increase in blood pressure. Patients might also gain weight without increasing their food intake. Some people also begin frequently getting up during the night to urinate, and their urine might have a foamy consistency.
Researched have not discovered what causes membranous glomerulonephritis. Some patients have autoimmune disorders such as lupus that can contribute to the development of the disease, but other people develop the condition without any obvious reason. Patients who have been exposed to mercury or other heavy metals are at a higher risk.
A doctor can diagnose membranous glomerulonephritis by performing a routine physical examination and by running a variety of tests. He or she will perform a urinalysis to look for chemicals and compounds in the urine. The doctor might also measure how much protein is in the urine by performing a 24-hour urine protein test or might perform a biopsy on the kidney.
Patients who have membranous glomerulonephritis benefit from a low-salt diet, which lessens the swelling or edema throughout the body. Doctors might prescribe medications such as corticosteroids to keep the immune system from attacking the kidneys. They will also prescribe drugs to lower the patients' blood pressure and reduce the amount of protein in the urine.
Some patients recover from the disease on their own without medical intervention, but the long-term prognosis varies. Some people go for years without having an outbreak, but other people suffer from regular flareups. Most patients suffer from some degree of kidney damage over time.
About 20 percent of all patients will develop end-stage kidney disease. These patients might require kidney transplants or dialysis. A kidney transplant does not cure the disease, and membranous glomerulonephritis might recur even in a transplanted kidney.
