Goodpasture syndrome is a rare disease that can affect both lungs and kidneys. It is an autoimmune disease in which the body is producing antibodies against itself.
There are several possible causes, presence of hereditary factors, exposure to certain chemicals, or viral infection. Also, smoking and cocaine use are listed as triggers for the development of this syndrome.
The incidence among young men is the greatest, and they develop both forms of this disease, that is to say they have antibodies against both renal tubules and pulmonary alveolus.
Statistics show that this syndrome is in the basis of 2% of all glomerulonephritis and occurs approximately one in a million people. It is more frequent among Caucasian than in Negroid race. Also certain ethnic groups, such as the Maori in New Zealand has more frequent incidence. Males are more often affected by this syndrome than females. It occurs most often in the period between 20-40 years.
What are the symptoms and signs of Goodpasture syndrome?
The first symptoms of this syndrome may be nonspecific
- fatigue
- nausea
- shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- rapid breathing (tachypnea)
- pain and a feeling of pressure in the chest (stenocardia)
- pallor and fatigue
- loss of appetite
- sweating at night
- pain muscle and joint
- efflorescence
As the disease progresses blood in the sputum can appear (hemoptysis), burning sensation when urinating and blood in the urine (hematuria) are occurring due to kidney affection, also symptoms and signs of anemia may occur(fatigue, poor tolerance of effort, pallor of the face, tachycardia).
How is Goodpasture syndrome diagnosed?
The clinical picture and inspection is insufficient for the diagnosis.
Laboratory tests (blood count, ESR, CRP, urine) may indicate nonspecific inflammatory changes in the body.
The definitive diagnosis is made by biopsy of the lung and kidney , as well as serological reactions of the blood in which the presence of auto antibodies are detected.
X-ray, CT (computerized tomography) and NMR and some additional analysis may help to determine the degree of tissue damage.
How is Goodpasture syndrome treated?
- Immunosuppressive drugs and
- corticosteroids are used in treatment.
- Plasmapheresis (plasma exchange therapy) may be done in order to remove auto antibodies from the blood.
Note, even though the bleeding in the lungs can be very dramatic, usually it does not cause permanent damage to lung tissue.
Kidney damage, however, can be very serious, and it often leads to hemodialysis and transplantation.
With adequate therapy, five-year survival with this syndrome is about 80%, and every third patient will have to go on dialysis.
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