title: End-stage reflux nephropathy.
abstract: Forty-two of 371 patients (11.3%) entering a dialysis-transplant program had end-stage reflux nephropathy. Thirteen of these 371 patients were under 16 years of age, with 6 of them having reflux nephropathy. Most patients presented with severely impaired renal function, hypertension, and proteinuria. Documented urinary tract infections occurred in only 4 of the 18 male and 14 of the 24 female patients. Thirty-five patients had hypertension, which in 22 had not been detected before presentation. Five presented with accelerated hypertension. Eight of the 24 women presented during a pregnancy. Twenty-nine patients are still alive, 20 with a functioning renal transplant. Reflux nephropathy is an important cause of end-stage renal failure, particularly in younger people. All patients presenting with renal insufficiency and proteinuria, with or without urinary tract infections or hypertension, should have reflux nephropathy excluded.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand.
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Lynn
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Robson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012042:Registries; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014718:Vesico-Ureteral Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology