A Retrospective Review of Renal Biopsies and Analysis of Histopathological Subgroups

OBJECTIVE: The distribution of renal diseases varies from center to center with respect to race,
geographical area and biopsy indications. In this retrospective study we examined renal biopsies
performed during a 5-years period. With this study we aimed to determine the spectrum of histological
renal diseases in our region with regard to age, gender, clinical indication and renal functions.

MATERIAL and METHODS: Two hundred and eighty-nine patients who underwent renal biopsy
between January 2008 and December 2012 at Adnan Menderes University, School of Medicine,
Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology Clinic were included in this study. Demographical data,
biopsy indications and pathology results were obtained from patients’ files and the computer database
retrospectively. Clinical information, chronic diseases, biopsy indications, age, gender, histopathology
results, radiological findings and laboratory data were recorded.

RESULTS: A total of 289 patients underwent renal biopsy during the 5-year period. The mean age
was calculated as 50.8±16.1 (range 18–86) years. 62.3% of the patients were male and the male/
female ratio was calculated as 1.7:1. Nephrotic syndrome was the most common indication for renal
biopsy independent from all other variables. Primary glomerulonephritis was the most common renal pathology for all age and gender groups at a ratio of 61.2%. The most common histopathological diagnoses were membranous glomerulonephritis
(13.8%), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (13.1%) and chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis (12.8%). The most common cause of secondary renal
disease was amyloidosis (5.2%). Tubulointerstitial nephritis frequency was found to be significantly increased in patients older than 60 years.

CONCLUSION: Our study reflects single-center experience. Our findings were in correlation with the findings of other multicenter, long-term
studies that include large biopsy series conducted in our country.