How to treat anemia in nephrotic syndrome?

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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Patients with nephrotic syndrome often do not suffer from anemia. However, if a patient has severe chronic renal failure, renal anemia may occur. Generally, renal anemia occurs when the patient's blood creatinine level exceeds 256 micromoles/liter. Treatment mainly involves the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and iron supplements. If the patient does not have obvious renal failure but exhibits anemia, it is important to investigate the cause. This could include gastrointestinal bleeding, the presence of systemic diseases, or even hematological disorders. For example, lupus nephritis can cause both nephrotic syndrome and anemia. In such cases, high-dose steroids and immunosuppressants may be required as a treatment to fundamentally address the issue.

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Written by Wu Ji
Nephrology
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What is nephrotic syndrome?

Nephrotic syndrome is a common manifestation of glomerular disease, caused by a variety of etiologies, with large differences in treatment response and prognosis. The pathological causes of nephrotic syndrome are diverse, with the most common types being minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, mesangial proliferative nephritis, membranous nephropathy, and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Nephrotic syndrome can be classified into primary and secondary types based on its cause. The diagnosis of primary nephrotic syndrome mainly depends on the exclusion of secondary nephrotic syndrome. Common causes of secondary nephrotic syndrome include diabetic nephropathy, lupus nephritis, renal amyloidosis, drug-induced nephropathy, and renal tumors.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Nephrology
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Kidney disease syndrome is classified as what disease?

Nephrotic syndrome is a clinical subtype of chronic kidney disease. It can be diagnosed when there is significant proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, accompanied by edema and hyperlipidemia. This represents a severe stage in the progression of kidney diseases, generally requiring treatment with steroids and immunosuppressants. Nephrotic syndrome may have complications such as thrombosis, infections, hyperlipidemia, and acute renal failure.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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How to maintain health with nephrotic syndrome

Patients with nephrotic syndrome should pay attention to maintenance because nephrotic syndrome is a chronic disease. Even if the condition is well controlled, it can still recur or worsen under certain circumstances. First and foremost, patients should avoid various inflammations, including infections of the upper respiratory tract, enteritis, skin infections, ulcers, etc. Patients should avoid getting cold, avoid contact with people who have colds, and wear masks in crowded places. Avoid eating raw, unhygienic food to prevent diarrhea and enteritis. Patients should also limit their salt intake, and it is recommended that their daily salt intake be controlled between 3 and 6 grams.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Causes of edema in nephrotic syndrome

Edema is a diagnostic criterion for nephrotic syndrome, as well as a major clinical symptom and characteristic of the syndrome. There are several reasons why patients develop edema. First, a large amount of protein leaks out from the kidneys, causing a decrease in the concentration of plasma albumin and a decrease in the colloid osmotic pressure in the plasma, which makes it easy for water to move from inside the blood vessels to outside, causing edema. Second, patients with nephrotic syndrome have increased vascular permeability, which also makes it easy for water to enter the interstitial tissues. Among patients with nephrotic syndrome, some are prone to acute renal failure, which further decreases the kidney's ability to excrete water, and these factors together lead to the common occurrence of edema in patients.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
52sec home-news-image

How to treat anemia in nephrotic syndrome?

Patients with nephrotic syndrome often do not suffer from anemia. However, if a patient has severe chronic renal failure, renal anemia may occur. Generally, renal anemia occurs when the patient's blood creatinine level exceeds 256 micromoles/liter. Treatment mainly involves the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and iron supplements. If the patient does not have obvious renal failure but exhibits anemia, it is important to investigate the cause. This could include gastrointestinal bleeding, the presence of systemic diseases, or even hematological disorders. For example, lupus nephritis can cause both nephrotic syndrome and anemia. In such cases, high-dose steroids and immunosuppressants may be required as a treatment to fundamentally address the issue.