Simultaneous improvement of minimal-change nephrotic syndrome and anemia with steroid therapy

Nephron. 1999 Jan;81(1):84-8. doi: 10.1159/000045252.

Abstract

A 56-year-old man presented with transient anemia in minimal-change nephrotic syndrome. Following nephrotic syndrome, anemia suddenly appeared without renal dysfunction. The anemia might be attributable to hemodilution because of significant correlations between the values of hemoglobin concentration and serum total protein or blood urea nitrogen during the clinical course. A low serum level and a low urinary excretion of erythropoietin were found, and when nephrotic syndrome ameliorated with steroid therapy, urinary erythropoietin excretion and anemia disappeared. This case indicated disappearance of the exponential increase of endogenous erythropoietin in acute anemia in nephrotic syndrome probably due to urinary losses and altered biosynthesis of erythropoietin. We report a case of the simultaneous improvement of both nephrotic syndrome and anemia with steroid therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / complications
  • Anemia / drug therapy*
  • Anemia / urine
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Erythropoietin / urine
  • Humans
  • Kidney Function Tests
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nephrosis, Lipoid / complications
  • Nephrosis, Lipoid / drug therapy*
  • Nephrosis, Lipoid / urine
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use*
  • Proteinuria / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Erythropoietin
  • Prednisolone