Gigante A et al. – This study evaluated the relationship between nutritional status and intrarenal arterial stiffness in primary glomerulonephritis (GN) associated to arteriolosclerosis, considering the glomerular diameter (GD) as morphological parameter in overweight and obese patients. The authors concluded that nephroangiosclerosis, in combination with excess weight, can modify intrarenal hemodynamic parameters. The study also demonstrated that renal tissue morphologically promoted an increase in GD, irrespective of underlying GN in response to these changes.

Methods

• Clinical, laboratory, anthropometric data, and renal Doppler ultrasound were performed immediately prior to kidney biopsy.

Results

• Primary GN was diagnosed in 92 patients. Arteriolosclerosis was reported to be mild in 19.6% of patients, moderate in 20.6%, and severe in 10.9%, and nephroangiosclerosis was diagnosed in 8.7% of patients.
• A positive correlation was observed between body mass index (BMI) and renal resistive index (RRI); the latter was significantly elevated in patients with severe arteriolosclerosis at kidney biopsy.
• Higher BMI was found in patients with renal arteriolosclerosis compared with patients without renal arteriolosclerosis.
• A positive correlation was observed between maximal GD and BMI and maximal GD and RRI in overweight and obese patients.