Short-term complications of membranous nephropathy

Abstract

Short-term complications of membranous nephropathy (MN) are important components of the process and their proper management can significantly alter the outcomes of patients with this disease. These complications vary from the non-specific ones associated with many types of chronic kidney disease such as hypertension, proteinuria and the symptoms associated with the nephrotic syndrome including edema and dyslipidemia. These are briefly discussed in the chapter. In addition, there are some specific issues more commonly associated with MN than other types of glomerulonephritis. This includes a hypercoagulable state and the associated thromboembolism. There is more recent information in this domain and this is included in the chapter. The associated increased risk of infection in MN patients is the final chapter component. This section is included to remind us not only of the direct impact of that disease process on reducing resistance to infection, but also to indicate the need to consider prophylactic antibiotics when the addition of potent immunosuppressive drug treatment is required for these patients.