@article{7680,
  keywords = {Adult, Brazil, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Glomerular Filtration Rate, Humans, Kidney Function Tests, Kidney Tubules, leprosy, Male},
  author = {Oliveira R and Silva G and Souza CJ and Vieira E and Mota R and Martins AMC and Libório AB and Daher E},
  title = {Evaluation of renal function in leprosy: a study of 59 consecutive patients.},
  abstract = {<p><b>BACKGROUND: </b>Renal abnormalities in leprosy have been largely described in medical literature, but there are few studies evaluating renal function in these patients.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>This is a cross-sectional study in 59 consecutive paucibacillary (PB) and multibacillary (MB) leprosy patients. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated by simplified-MDRD formula. Microalbuminuria was determined by 24 h urine collection. Urinary acidification capacity was measured after water deprivation and acid-loading with CaCl(2). Urinary concentration capacity was evaluated after desmopressin acetate administration, using the urinary to plasma osmolality (U/P(osm)) ratio. All parameters except microalbuminuria were measured in a control group of 18 healthy volunteers.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Age and gender were similar between leprosy (MB or PB) and control groups. GFR <or= 80 ml/min/1.73 m(2) was observed in 50% of the leprosy patients. GFR and U/P(osm) in leprosy patients were significantly lower than in controls (P<0.001). Urinary acidification defect was found in 32% of PB and in 29% of MB patients and urinary concentrating ability was abnormal in 83% of PB and 85% of MB patients. Microalbuminuria was found in 4 patients (8.5%), leukocyturia was found in 13 (22%) and haematuria was present in 16 patients (27%). Plasma creatinine (P(cr)) >1.2 mg/dl was observed in 17.9% of MB patients and in none of the controls (P=0.020). A negative correlation was observed between GFR and time of treatment (r= -0.339; P=0.002). Age and time of treatment were independent risk factors for GFR <or= 80 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in multivariate analysis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>Asymptomatic GFR changes and renal tubular dysfunction, including urine concentration defect and impaired acidifying mechanisms, can be caused by leprosy on specific treatment and without any reaction episodes.</p>},
  year = {2008},
  journal = {Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association},
  volume = {23},
  pages = {256-62},
  month = {2008 Jan},
  issn = {0931-0509},
  doi = {10.1093/ndt/gfm568},
  language = {eng},
}