The relationship between proteinuria and left ventricular hypertrophy in non-diabetic chronic glomerulonephritis patients.

Abstract

Aim: Chronic glomerulonephritis (GN) encompasses various disorders that lead to glomerular inflammation and damage through the interaction of environmental triggers such as immune-mediated mechanisms and infections. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between proteinuria and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in non-diabetic chronic GN patients.

Materials and methods: This study was conducted with 103 (62.4%) male and 62 (37.6%) female chronic GN patients with a mean age of 55.65 ± 15.81 years. Patients were compared with 90 healthy individuals of similar age and gender. Proteinuria levels were measured using 24-hour proteinuria quantification (24h QP). Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF), LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), LV end-systolic diameter (LVESD), and LV mass index (LVMI) were calculated using echocardiography.

Results: Proteinuria was determined to be ≥ 3.5 g/day in 54 (32.7%) of the patients. In patients, creatinine, LVMI, and LVH were significantly higher compared to healthy individuals. Patients with nephrotic proteinuria had higher LVMI and LVH compared to those with non-nephrotic proteinuria. A significant relationship was found between LVMI and LVH in patients with nephrotic proteinuria. In the univariate logistic regression analysis, an increase in LVH and LVMI values was found to be associated with an increase in nephrotic proteinuria levels.

Conclusion: Increased development of LVH was observed in patients compared to healthy individuals. Significantly higher development of LVH was observed in those with nephrotic proteinuria compared to those without. A significant relationship was observed between nephrotic proteinuria and LVH as well as LVMI in patients with chronic GN.