Predicting outcome in acute interstitial nephritis: a case series examining the importance of histological parameters

Rankin, A. J. , Cannon, E., Gillis, K. , Crosby, J., Mark, P. B. , Geddes, C. C., Fox, J. G., Mackinnon, B., McQuarrie, E. and Kipgen, D. (2020) Predicting outcome in acute interstitial nephritis: a case series examining the importance of histological parameters. Histopathology, 76(5), pp. 698-706. (doi: 10.1111/his.14031) (PMID:31691330)

Abstract

Background: The clinical significance of common histological parameters in acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the utility of histology in predicting clinical outcomes in patients with AIN. Methods and results: Adult renal biopsies yielding a diagnosis of AIN between 2000 and 2015 were re‐examined. Patients were divided into groups based on: 1) the percentage of non‐fibrotic cortex containing inflammation (NFI‐score), (NFI‐1=0‐24%, NFI‐2=25‐74%, NFI‐3=75‐100%), and 2) the percentage of cortex containing tubular atrophy (TA score), (TA1=0‐9%, TA2=10‐24%, TA3=25‐100%). The primary outcome was a composite of ≥50% reduction in serum creatinine (sCr) or an eGFR >60 ml/min/1.73m2 1‐year post‐biopsy. From a total of 2817 native renal biopsies, there were 120 patients with AIN and adequate data for analysis. Of these, 66 (56%) achieved the primary outcome. On univariable logistic regression, NFI‐3 was associated with a 16 times increased likelihood of achieving the primary outcome compared to NFI‐1 (OR 16 (95% CI 5.2‐50)). In contrast, TA3 were associated with a 90% reduced likelihood of achieving the primary outcome compared to TA1 (OR=0.10 (95%CI 0.0‐0.3)). Maximal clinical utility was achieved by combining TA and NFI into a single prognostic ‘TANFI’ score, which had an independent predictive effect on the primary outcome in a multivariable regression model consisting of age, sex, baseline sCr and identified drug cause. Conclusions: In patients with biopsy‐proven AIN, a lower percentage of cortical tubular atrophy and, paradoxically, a higher percentage of inflammation in non‐fibrosed cortex were associated with an increased likelihood of a positive clinical outcome.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Fox, Dr Jonathan and McQuarrie, Dr Emily and Mackinnon, Dr Bruce and Mark, Professor Patrick and Gillis, Dr Keith and Rankin, Dr Alastair and Geddes, Dr Colin
• Authors: Rankin, A. J., Cannon, E., Gillis, K., Crosby, J., Mark, P. B., Geddes, C. C., Fox, J. G., Mackinnon, B., McQuarrie, E., and Kipgen, D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Histopathology
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0309-0167
• ISSN (Online): 1365-2559
• Published Online: 05 November 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 John Wiley and Sons Ltd
• First Published: First published in Histopathology 76(5): 698-706
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
303352		INTERROGATION OF THE CARDIOMYOPATHY OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE WITH ADVANCED CARDIAC IMAGING	Alastair Rankin	Chief Scientist Office (CSO)	CAF/18/02	CAMS - Cardiovascular Science