TITLE:
Epidemiology of Biopsy Proven Glomerular Disorders and Effect of Severe Cyclone on Its Incidence in Central Queensland Region of Australia
AUTHORS:
Manaf Aljishi, Tony Pham, Justin Chan, Matthew McGrail, Thin Han, Jennifer Borg, Dwarakanathan Ranganathan, Zaw Thet
KEYWORDS:
Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis, Australia, Cyclonic Storms, Glomerulonephritis, Kidney Biopsy, Queensland
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nephrology,
Vol.11 No.4,
November
25,
2021
ABSTRACT: Aim: The objectives of this study are to determine the epidemiology of biopsy-proven glomerular disease (GD) in Central Queensland and the effect of a severe cyclone on its incidence and clinical phenotype. Background: Central Queensland (CQ) has a relatively high incidence of kidney disease. Since its biopsy service commenced in 2005, there have been no data on biopsy-proven GD. It has been suggested that GD incidence changes around times of natural disasters. In February 2015, the CQ region was affected by a category 5 Cyclone Marcia. This provides an opportunity to explore possible environmental triggers of GD. Methods: This was a single-centre retrospective observational study on biopsy-proven kidney disease in CQ. All kidney biopsies performed between January 2005 and December 2019 were included. Patients with biopsy-proven GD during 3 years before and after Cyclone Marcia (from 2012 to 2018) were analysed. Results: 170 native kidney biopsies occurred during the 15 years. The number of annual biopsies steadily increased from 7 to 16. The most common biopsy-proven kidney disease was IgA Nephropathy (27%) followed by diabetic nephropathy (20%). GD comprised 64% of biopsies. Unlike other GD, the incidence of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) significantly increased after cyclone (one pre- and eight post-cyclone, P value = 0.039). The majority of AAV cases occurred in the first year after the cyclone. Conclusion: Kidney biopsies in CQ provide important epidemiological data on biopsy-proven kidney disease. Cyclones have a possible effect on the incidence and clinical phenotype of ANCA associated vasculitis.