Will Hyperuricemia Nephropathy Develop into Kidney Failure

Hyperuricemia nephropathy is the second serious consequence of long term hyperuricemia with arthritis the most severe. Though symptoms of arthritis are very easy to be noted, the symptoms of renal damage are dormant and are often neglected.

Hyperuricemia nephropathy is caused by the deposition of urate which is the end product of purine metabolism. It usually takes about 10 years to have obvious signs of renal damages. An early detection and proper treatments can stop or slow down the renal lesions. The illness conditions will deteriorate and develops into kidney failure if hyperuricemia nephropathy is not treated properly. It is more common among the obese whose love to drinking alcohol and eating meat products, with male accounting for more than 90% and it is rare among the female.

Urinary changes in hyperuricemia nephropathy are mainly mild proteinuria and small amount of red blood cells in urine. The early change of renal functions is the decline of concentrating ability and then the glomerular filtration ability will be affected. And when other medical conditions are accompanied such as hypertension, diabetes, amyloid, kidney cyst or arteriosclerosis, etc, renal failure can be caused. The metabolic disorder is often accompanied by fat metabolic disorder and will cause hyperlipidemia and therefore it is a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. Of cause, this might be related to artery intima damages caused by the deposition of urate crystal on the artery walls.

One of the main complication of hyperuricemia nephropathy is kidney stone which is more common among the elderly (80% cases have the onset after 30 and it is rare in female). The kidney can obstruct the urinary tract and cause infections. In the end stage it will involve the glomeruli and cause increased creatinine, urea nitrogen and other metabolic wastes and toxins.

The prognosis is usually good with life-long intake of anti-hyperuicemia medicines and symptomatic treatments. There are some cases hyperuricemia can not be alleviated even with proper medicines; this is because there are still some other factors promoting hyperuricemia such as alcohol, obesity, diuretic therapy.