KIDNEY-DISEASES AMONG THE ELDERLY - A CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF247 ELDERLY PATIENTS

We describe the clinicopathological features of 247 patients over the age of 60 with renal disorders. We acceded the histological classifica tion of WHO recommendation, except for IgA nephropathy as primary glom erulonephritis. All nephrotic patients other than those with diabetic glomerulosclerosis (DGS) or amyloidosis were treated with steroids and /or immunosuppressants. Clinical data showed 88 patients with nephroti c syndrome. The histological study revealed that 142 patients had prim ary renal diseases and 105 patients had secondary renal diseases. Of 8 8 nephrotic patients, 35 were membranous nephropathy (MN) and 9 were m inimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). In secondary nephrosis, amylo idosis and DGS were diagnosed in 9 and 7 patients, respectively. A goo d response to therapy was obtained in MN (89%) and MCNS (78%). However , nephrotic patients with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, amyloidosis, or DGS had unfavorable outcomes. Histological observation s are useful aids in estimating the prognosis and therapy selection fo r renal disorders even in elderly patients.