GLOMERULONEPHRITIS IN THE ELDERLY

The records of 7086 patients reported to the MRC Glomerulonephritis Re gistry between 1978 and 1990 were examined; 1368 patients were aged >6 0 years at the time of biobsy In 1978 12% of patients aged >60 years u nderwent biopsy, whereas in 1990 30% of patients were aged >60 years. The most common reasons for biopsy were nephrotic syndrome (31%), acut e renal failure (26%) and chronic renal failure (25%). In patients pre senting with nephrotic syndrome, the most common histological appearan ce was membranous nephropathy (36.6%), minimal changes (11%) and amylo idosis (10.7%). Secondary nephrotic syndrome was associated with amylo idosis (32 patients), diabetes mellitus (11 patients) and carcinoma (1 0 patients). Glomerulonephritis in the elderly is not uncommon and the apparent increasing incidence is most likely due to an increased refe rral of patients for investigation rather than a true increase in the incidence of this condition.