title: Diagnostic criteria for Balkan endemic nephropathy: proposal by an international panel.
abstract: Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) is a familial chronic tubulointerstitial disease with insidious onset and slow progression to terminal renal failure. Diagnostic criteria for BEN have been described more than 40 years ago. Research groups on BEN use one of at least three described lists of criteria. Comparison of studies using such criteria is difficult, and a recent meeting of investigators (Zagreb, October 2006) has suggested that unified criteria have to be elaborated. In this paper, an International Panel of BEN Investigators agreed on criteria appropriate to epidemiologic studies and clinical investigations of BEN. A screening procedure of BEN in endemic settlements is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nephrology and Hemodialysis, Faculty of Medicine, Nis, Serbia. stefan@ni.ac.yu
authors.forename: Vladisav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stefanovic
authors.forename: Bojan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jelakovic
authors.forename: Rade
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cukuranovic
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bukvic
authors.forename: Jovan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nikolic
authors.forename: Ljiljana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lukic
authors.forename: Gheorge
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gluhovschi
authors.forename: Draga
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Toncheva
authors.forename: Momir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Polenakovic
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cosyns
mesh_terms: D001449:Balkan Nephropathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009790:Occupations; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014567:Urography