Clinicopathological Analysis of Native Kidney Biopsies: Single-Center Experience In Muğla Province

Background: Percutaneous native kidney biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosing kidney parenchymal diseases, providing essential diagnostic and prognostic information. Despite non-invasive serological markers, biopsy continues to play a key role in clinical nephrology.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 174 adult native kidney biopsies performed between January 2018 and November 2024 at X Training and Research Hospital. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and histopathological data were analyzed.

Results: The mean age of patients was 49.5 ± 18 years, and males constituted 52.3%. The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (51.7%) and diabetes mellitus (26.4%). Nephrotic syndrome (29.3%) was the leading biopsy indication, followed by asymptomatic urinary abnormalities (25.3%) and unexplained kidney failure (25.3%). The most common histopathological diagnosis was focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (17.8%), followed by membranous nephropathy (8.6%) and crescentic/necrotizing glomerulonephritis (7.5%). Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) was more frequent in nephrotic presentations and among elderly patients. Crescentic and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis were significantly associated with age > 65 years (P < .05). Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy incidence was notably low in this cohort, while lupus nephritis occurred exclusively in females. Bleeding complications developed in 13.2% of patients, including 2.8% with major events, with no organ loss or mortality.

Conclusion: This study provides the first regional epidemiological data on native kidney biopsies from province X. The findings demonstrate the increasing frequency and predominance of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in Türkiye. This pattern, together with an older patient profile, indicates regional variation and underscores the importance of kidney biopsy in monitoring epidemiological trends of glomerular diseases.

Cite this article as: Gibyeli Genek D, Terzioğlu Yazıcı GC, Bacaksızlar Sarı F, Örgün Sönmez MG, Alp A, Huddam B. Clinicopathological analysis of native kidney biopsies: single-center experience in Muğla province. Turk J Nephrol. 2026;35(3):208-215.