[Renal failure in sarcoidosis]

Abstract

Renal sarcoidosis is rare and may lead to renal failure in less than 3% of patients. It may occur as a consequence of calcium metabolism disorders or granulomatous interstitial nephritis. In this retrospective study, we present five patients with renal failure secondary to sarcoidosis diagnosed in our centre on one period of nine years. Patients were three males and two females with a mean age at the time of the diagnosis of 31,6 years. Pulmonary involvement was present in three cases. Renal biopsy revealed granulomatous interstitial nephritis lesions in all patients. Extra-membranous glomerulonephritis was present in one case. In another case, moderate interstitial fibrosis was observed. Corticosteroid therapy using prednisolone 1mg/kg per day was used in all patients. Three patients had methylprednisolone pulse before oral corticosteroid therapy. One patient required several sessions of haemodialysis. All patients were followed up for a mean period of 52,6 months (ranged from 13 to 84 months). All patients improved their renal function with normalization of creatininemia in two of them. Renal involvement in sarcoidosis is probably underestimated. Corticosteroids therapy is efficient and must be introduced early to prevent progression to chronic renal failure.