Membranous Glomerulonephritis

Membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) is a kidney disorder that leads to changes and inflammation of the structures inside the kidney that help filter wastes and fluids. The inflammation may lead to problems with kidney function.

The kidney disorder occurs in about 2 out of every 10,000 people. It may occur at any age, but is more common after age 40. Symptoms of MGN include swelling, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and can lead to an increased risk of blood clots.

MGN is caused by the thickening of part of the glomerular basement membrane, the part of the kidneys that helps filter waste and extra fluid from the blood. The exact reason for this thickening is not known.

The thicker glomerular membrane does not work normally. Large amounts of protein are lost in the urine as a result.

The following increase your risk for this condition:

• Certain autoimmune disorders (when the immune system mistakes some of your own tissues as foreign invaders and attacks them with autoantibodies) such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, Graves' disease, and other autoimmune disorders
• Cancers, especially lung and colon cancer, and lymphomas
• Exposure to gold salts and mercury and other toxins or poisons
• Infections, including hepatitis B and C, malaria, syphilis, and endocarditis
• Adverse reactions to certain medications
• Race and age (MGN affects mostly adult, Caucasian men)

About 85 percent of MGN cases are caused by the body’s immune system mistakenly attacking healthy kidney tissue, a condition called primary MGN (pMGN), which is one of the leading causes of kidney disease in adults.

See your doctor for foamy urine, swelling in the legs, ankles, or around the eyes, or unexplained weight gain from fluid. Early evaluation protects kidney function and checks for blood clots, a known complication.