Open AccessThe Effect of Kidney Biopsy on Glomerular Filtration Rate: A Frequent Patient Concern
Author(s) -
Rakesh Dattani,
Richard Corbett,
Jack Galliford,
Peter Hill,
Tom Cairns,
H. Terence Cook,
Candice Roufosse,
Damien Ashby
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
american journal of nephrology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1421-9670
pISSN - 0250-8095
DOI - 10.1159/000511798
Subject(s) - medicine , renal function , biopsy , renal biopsy , urology , kidney , retrospective cohort study , kidney disease , confidence interval , percutaneous , surgery
The effect of percutaneous kidney biopsy on glomerular filtration rate has never been identified, though it is frequently a concern raised by patients. Following a clinical interaction with an inquisitive patient undergoing her fifth biopsy, we attempted to estimate the effect using retrospective data. In a cohort of patients with stable kidney function undergoing transplant biopsy without clinical indication (as part of a surveillance programme) the effect of biopsy was observed as a step change in glomerular filtration rate. Reassuringly, the loss of glomerular filtration rate resulting from a biopsy, has a 1-sided 95% confidence interval of <1.4 mL/min.