Comparison of urinary protein-to-creatinine ration, serum albumin, serum creatinine and systolic arterial blood pressure of glomerular injury cases in dogs with chronic kidney disease

This study aims at assessing the prevalence of glomerular alterations in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and comparing the clinical and laboratory parameters. The tests conducted include a double-blind histopathological assay conducted by two pathologists, urine tests including inactive sediment, urinary protein-to-creatinine (UPC), serum albumin and serum creatinine, as well as measurement of the systolic arterial blood pressure. The prevalence of glomerular injuries was determined and the predominant injury was compared with a group comprised of the remaining injuries. The study included 24 dogs with CKD. The results revealed a predominance of membranous glomerular alterations 17/24 (70,83%), followed by glomerulosclerosis 3/24 (12,50%), membranoproliferative injuries 2/24, glomerulocystic atrophy 1/24 and glomerular amyloidosis 1/24. Amyloidosis presented the highest UPC while the membranoproliferative injury presented the lowest mean concentration of serum albumin. Higher values in the UPC did not correspond with lower mean serum albumin values. Glomerulosclerosis presented the highest mean systolic blood pressure and glomerular atrophy presented the highest creatinine values. When comparing membranous injuries with a group comprised of the remaining injuries, the UPC did not present significant differences between the groups. Renal amyloidosis was included in the group with the lowest systolic arterial blood pressure values while membranoproliferative injury was included in the group with highest UPC. The group called “others” presented the highest creatinine value. Dogs with CKD may present several types of glomerular injuries with similar clinical and laboratory profiles. This study observed a predominance of membranous glomerular injuries, followed by membranoproliferative injuries, glomerulocystic atrophy and amyloidosis.