Retrospective analysis of the diagnostic spectrum of histological nephropathies from the Magdeburg kidney biopsy cohort (MD-KBC)
Background: The epidemiology of biopsy-proven kidney disease varies geographically, yet data from Central Germany are lacking, hindering local disease understanding and healthcare planning. We aimed to characterize the spectrum, trends, and predictors of kidney diseases in this region. Methods: We r...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
01 December 2025
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| In: |
BMC nephrology
Year: 2025, Volume: 26, Issue: 1, Pages: 1-11 |
| ISSN: | 1471-2369 |
| DOI: | 10.1186/s12882-025-04617-y |
| Online Access: | Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-025-04617-y Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12882-025-04617-y 
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| Author Notes: | Peter R. Mertens, Mohammed R. Kanaan, Abdul A. Abou-Watfa, Sascha T. Bender, Thorsten Wiech, Hermann-Josef Gröne and Florian G. Scurt |
| Summary: | Background: The epidemiology of biopsy-proven kidney disease varies geographically, yet data from Central Germany are lacking, hindering local disease understanding and healthcare planning. We aimed to characterize the spectrum, trends, and predictors of kidney diseases in this region. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 1,029 native kidney biopsies from a tertiary center in Saxony-Anhalt (2010–2021), assessing demographic, clinical, and histopathological data. Temporal trends were compared between two 6-year periods. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors for major diagnoses. Results: Mean patient age was 54.3 years (65% male). Primary glomerulonephritis (GN) was the most common diagnosis (50.4%), led by IgA nephropathy (IgAN) (23.0%), diabetic nephropathy (DN) (10.0%), and vasculitis-associated GN (8.7%). Trend analysis revealed a significant decrease in primary GN (56.4% to 46.5%; p < 0.001) and an increase in vascular nephropathies (2.7% to 10.6%; p < 0.001). Male sex was an independent predictor for IgAN (OR 1.41), while younger age and female sex predicted Minimal Change Disease or Lupus Nephritis. Conclusion: This first study from Central Germany reveals a unique epidemiological profile with a high burden of IgAN, DN, and vasculitis. We observed a significant temporal shift from primary GNs towards vascular diseases, reflecting the rising prevalence of metabolic syndrome and hypertensive conditions. These findings underscore evolving challenges in nephrology and support the need for a national German kidney biopsy registry to monitor and address these trends. |
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| Item Description: | Gesehen am 03.03.2026 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 1471-2369 |
| DOI: | 10.1186/s12882-025-04617-y |