A descriptive study of individuals with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis

Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is one of a group of glomerulonephritides that often begins in childhood and progresses to renal failure. The purpose of this paper is to describe the initial results of a patient-driven database on individuals with MPGN.

Patients with MPGN Types I, II, and III and their family members were recruited to this survey study.

A population survey design was used.

A survey was developed for this study that obtained information from the individual with MPGN or a guardian on: patient information, family/patient health history, history of PGN, medications, course of MPGN, history of dialysis, and history of transplant. Surveys were completed either on-line or in paper format.

Fifty-nine individuals who are primarily white (80%) and female (61%) with MPGN Type II (52%) participated in this study. The average age of onset of MPGN in this sample was 12 years. Ten (71%) of the total 14 patients with onset of less than 10y ears of age were female. Among these 10 female, 8 (80%) were diagnosed with MPGN II and developed end stage renal disease.

Health screenings for blood pressure, urinary dipstick for both proteinuria and hematuria play important roles in early detection for MPGN. Nurses must provide emotional and information support to this population.