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Thin Basement Membrane Disease

(Benign Familial Hematuria)

By

Frank O'Brien

, MD, Washington University in St. Louis

Reviewed/Revised Jun 2023
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Topic Resources

Thin basement membrane disease is diffuse thinning of the glomerular basement membrane from a width of 300 to 400 nm in normal subjects to 150 to 225 nm.

Thin basement membrane disease is a type of nephritic syndrome Overview of Nephritic Syndrome Nephritic syndrome is defined by hematuria, variable degrees of proteinuria, usually dysmorphic red blood cells (RBCs), and often RBC casts on microscopic examination of urinary sediment. Often... read more . It is hereditary and usually transmitted in autosomal dominant fashion. Not all genetic mutations have been characterized, but in some families with thin basement membrane disease there is a mutation in the type IV collagen alpha-4 gene. Prevalence is estimated to be 5 to 9%.

Symptoms and Signs of Thin Basement Membrane Disease

Most patients are asymptomatic and are incidentally noted to have microscopic hematuria on routine urinalysis, although mild proteinuria and gross hematuria are occasionally present. Renal function is typically normal, but a few patients develop progressive renal failure for unknown reasons. Recurrent flank pain, similar to that in immunoglobulin A nephropathy, Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy is deposition of IgA immune complexes in glomeruli, manifesting as slowly progressive hematuria, proteinuria, and, often, renal insufficiency. Diagnosis is... read more Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy is a rare manifestation.

Diagnosis of Thin Basement Membrane Disease

  • Clinical evaluation

  • Sometimes renal biopsy

Diagnosis is based on family history and findings of hematuria without other symptoms or pathology, particularly if asymptomatic family members also have hematuria. Renal biopsy Renal biopsy Biopsy of the urinary tract requires a trained specialist (nephrologist, urologist, or interventional radiologist). Indications for diagnostic biopsy include unexplained nephritic or nephrotic... read more is unnecessary but is often done as part of a hematuria evaluation. Early on, thin basement membrane disease may be difficult to differentiate from Alport sydrome Alport Syndrome Alport syndrome is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by nephritic syndrome (ie, hematuria, proteinuria, hypertension, eventual renal insufficiency) often with sensorineural... read more Alport Syndrome because of histologic similarities. Molecular genetic analysis can help differentiate these 2 diseases.

Treatment of Thin Basement Membrane Disease

  • For frequent gross hematuria, flank pain, or proteinuria, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)

Long-term prognosis is excellent, and no treatment is necessary in most cases. Patients with frequent gross hematuria, flank pain, or proteinuria (eg, urine protein/creatinine ratio of > 0.2) may benefit from ACE inhibitors or ARBs, which may lower intraglomerular pressure.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Drug Name Select Trade
GIAPREZA
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NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
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