Preservation of renal function in chronic renal failure.
Mechanisms of progression of chronic renal failure (CRF) have been well documented in the rat but may not be relevant in man. Factors which may modify clinical CRF include underlying disease, diet, hypertension, intercurrent events, and adverse or beneficial effects of drug therapy. It has been argued that progression in many forms of renal disease is inexorable below a certain level of renal function. In other diseases, eg primary malignant hypertension, analgesic nephropathy, function frequently improves in both the short and long term with appropriate management. Thus knowledge of the nature of the underlying disease is essential in assessing progression. The value of diet in preserving renal function has been debated, particularly the relative roles of protein and phosphate control. In our own unit, a prospective randomized study showed a benefit of protein restriction. Development of accelerated hypertension is an important cause of progression of renal disease and clinical and experimental evidence supports the view that non-accelerated hypertension is also a factor in progression, amenable to treatment. Various intercurrent events may accelerate progression and function may be lost permanently following sepsis, urinary tract obstruction, renal arterial or venous obstruction, hypotension and in some cases pregnancy. Numerous drugs can have deleterious effects on the kidney. The possibility that converting enzyme inhibitors might preserve renal function is attracting attention but in view of their side effects their place in therapy should be determined by prospective controlled studies in which the above factors are carefully considered.
Whitworth
J A
JA
Department of Nephrology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
Ihle
B U
BU
Becker
G J
GJ
Kincaid-Smith
P S
PS
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy