An investigation of 2,093 renal biopsies performed at Tokai University Hospital between 1976 and 2000.

ABSTRACT

We retrospectively investigated 2,093 renal biopsy procedures performed between 1976 and 2000 at Tokai University Hospital. The study period was divided into 5-year intervals, and the frequencies of each renal disease, age and sex of patients were compared across the study period. Clinical diagnosis was based on WHO criteria. A total of 2,093 patients aged 8 months to 84 years underwent renal biopsy during the study period. The percentage of elderly patients who underwent renal biopsy increased from 1.2% in 1976 - 1980 to 9.9% in 1996 - 2000. IgAN was the most common disease in every 5-year period. CresGN showed an increase from 1 patient (0.3%) in 1976 - 1980 to 15 patients (4.0%) in 1996 - 2000. In contrast, the number of patients with PGN or BRH, MPGN significantly decreased during the study period. Although the criteria for renal biopsy and renal diseases detected are expected to change in the future, renal biopsy will remain an essential procedure for making a definite diagnosis, selection of optimum treatment, and prediction of prognosis.