Renal manifestations of vasculitis

Abstract

Objective: to establish the main clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, prognosis and treatment of primary vasculitis with renal involvement. Methodology: we performed systematic review of the medical literature contained in the Medline, Cochrane and EMBASE database with emphasis on original studies and revision of topics with impact on clinical practice referring to primary vasculitis and kidney, from 1960 to March of 2012. We then proceeded in the achievement of the full articles, his reading, complementation with relevant referenced articles, and finally its ordering, clasification and drafting. Results: with search methods, 1992 abstracts were obtained. 83 were representative for the topics of this review. When evaluating the full papers, we considered that 47 met the objective. Description of renal involvement was found in all types of vasculitis. However, the majority of the studies with the highest level of evidence focus on small vessel vasculitis ANCA associated, mainly on treatment and prognostic factors. Included pathology figures are part of cases collected in our clinical practice. Conclusion: renal involvement in vasculitis has greater impact on those of small vessel, where the use of steroids and immunosuppressants are the mainstay treatment. However, we must highlight the role of biological agents in case of relapse and procedures such as plasmapheresis in severe cases