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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing public health problem. National renal biopsy registries are essential to understand the local epidemiology. This is the first renal biopsy registry in the Dominican Republic that describes trends and risk factors for kidney disease.
Retrospective observational study of 1,567 renal biopsies from 1999 to 2023 from the Dominican Society of Nephrology. Demographic variables and histopathologic diagnoses were analyzed.
Mean age was 35.6 years. In glomerular diseases (67.1% of cases), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) was the most prevalent (30.1%), predominating in men. Lupus nephritis (16.8%) prevailed in women. IgA nephropathy was less frequent. Early acute rejection was the main finding in transplant recipients (mean age 39.4 years, 67% men). Significant differences were found in renal diseases by compartment, age, sex, and geography (p<0.05).
Table 1. Age and gender profile of the ten most common diagnosis
First-grade diagnosis
Age;
mean (SD)
Gender (M: F)
N
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)
32.84 (16.49)
1:1
314
Minimal change disease (MCD)
23.22 (14.91)
109
Alport syndrome/thin membrane disease
32.31 (18.47)
1:2
103
Membranous nephropathy
42.43 (16.33)
IgA nephropathy
32.24 (14.38)
101
Diabetic kidney disease
52.13 (13.91)
17:10
66
No diagnosis
41.25 (17.38)
59
Lupus nephritis type IV
29 (10.82)
1:6
39
This is the first national registry of renal biopsies in the Caribbean. It reveals a high prevalence of FSGS versus global averages and a low rate of IgA nephropathy. Marked sex differences were observed, essential for evidence-based medicine. High lupus nephritis in women requires investigation. In transplant recipients, studies on gender disparities in engraftment are needed. Geographic variations in chronic rejection demand localized responses. Age trends require treatment plans by age group. The registry is essential for planning national strategies against kidney disease in the Dominican Republic.