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Henoch-Schonlein Purpura Nephritis is secondary renal damage caused by Henoch-Schonlein Purpura. Clinically about 12% to 40% patients with HSP Nephritis experience blood and protein in urine. On the other hand, however, do hematuria and proteinuria necessarily mean kidney disease in those with HSP?
Actually, there are many diseases that may cause hematuria and proteinuria, such as acute Nephritis, chronic Nephritis, kidney traumas, etc. However, if the patients experience fever, fatigue or upper respiratory tract infection one to three weeks before presence of hematuria and proteinuria, Henoch-Schonlein Purpura Nephritis will be suspected.
Typical clinical manifestations of HSP Nephritis mainly include: purpura in joints, lower limbs and buttocks, which may disappear in days or may recur in some cases; gastrointestinal tract symptoms, with abdominal pains as the most common; in severe cases spitting blood and hematochezia may occur; some may have fierce joint pains.
Nephritis may happen due to inflammatory damage to glomerular capillaries. Symptoms of kidney disease may occur at any developing stage of HSP. Usually, gross or microscopic blood and protein in urine occurs two to four weeks after presence of purpura, but may also occur after rashes disappear. Usually, the earlier the patients present proteinuria or hematuria, the more likely the patients may develop into chronic Nephritis, Nephrotic syndrome or even renal failure.
What is the treatment for hematuria and proteinuria in HSP Nephritis?
Adrenocortical hormones and other medicines are commonly applied for treatment of HSP. Those with accompanying infections may be treated by antibiotics to control the infection. Immunosuppressive medicines are applied to remit inflammation to kidneys and control symptoms. However, long-term use of immunosuppressive medicines may make immune system disordered and cause side effects. Combination of traditional Chinese medicines to regulate the immune system and protect kidneys may achieve maximum treatment effects to control HSP Nephritis and prevent further injury on renal tissues.
