[Changes in renal function in middle and old age established by isotopic nephrography]

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Age-related changes can affect kidney function.
• Isotope-nephrography is a valuable tool for assessing renal function.
• Prevalence of kidney abnormalities in asymptomatic older adults requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze isotope-nephrography findings in individuals over 40 without diagnosed urological conditions.
• To determine the prevalence and patterns of renal function abnormalities in this demographic.
• To investigate the influence of age and sex on these findings.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of clinical, paraclinical, and X-ray examinations in 112 subjects over 40.
• Performance of isotope-nephrography to assess renal function.
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis of isotope-nephrograms to classify pathological curves.

Main Results:

• Pathological isotope-nephrography was observed in 67% of subjects.
• The prevalence of abnormalities significantly increased with age, being four times higher in those over 60 compared to the 41-50 age group.
• Males showed a higher incidence (1.8 times) of abnormalities compared to females.
• Three types of pathological curves were identified, with disturbed secretory function on reduced vascularization being the most common (65.3%).
• Bilateral deviations occurred in 57.3% of cases, and unilateral in 42.7%.

Conclusions:

• Age-related decline in kidney function is evident in asymptomatic individuals over 40, detectable by isotope-nephrography.
• Isotope-nephrography is sensitive in detecting subtle renal function impairments in older adults.
• Early detection of secretory dysfunction and vascular compromise is crucial for managing age-related renal changes.