[Risk factors of post-renal biopsy bleeding]

To evaluate the risk factors of post-renal biopsy bleeding (PBB).

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 1 262 patients who received ultrasound-guided biopsy of native kidney at our hospital from January 2005 to December 2006.

The overall incidence of PBB was 30.3% (383/1,262), among which the incidence of hematoma was 29.4% (371/1,262) (the percentages of less and more than 5cm were 73.9% and 26.1%, respectively) while that of gross hematuria was only 1.3% (17/1,262). The incidences of minor, intermediate, and major bleeding complications were 21.4% (270/1,262), 8.4% (106/1,262), and 0.6% (7/1,262), respectively. In seven patients with major bleeding complications, six had renal disease secondary to rheumatic disease (lupus nephritis, n = 5; scleroderma crisis, n = 1), while the other one had IgA nephropathy (Lee's classification V). The risk of PBB was relatively higher in women and younger patients.

Patients with chronic connective tissue diseases are vulnerable to severe PBB complications. A close monitoring of these patients is necessary.