ObjectiveInfection is a common condition in patients with nephrotic syndrome. The
objective of the present study is to investigate the clinical
characteristics and risk factors of infections in adult patients with
primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS).MethodsMedical charts of 138 consecutive patients with PNS and infections who were
admitted to hospital from April 2013 to April 2016 were systematically
reviewed.ResultsPatients were divided into three groups according to the degree of
infections: mild infection group (n = 45), moderate infection group
(n = 60), and severe infection group (n = 33). In the severe infection
group, most patients (96.9%) had pulmonary infections with opportunistic
pathogens. There were significant differences in cumulative prednisone dose,
immunosuppressor use, and CD4+ T cell count among the three groups. A lower
CD4+ T cell count (<300 cells/mm3) (odds ratio = 4.25 [95%
confidence interval 1.680–10.98]) and higher cumulative dose of prednisone
(odds ratio = 1.38 [95% confidence interval 1.05–3.26]) were risk factors
for severe infections in adult patients with PNS.ConclusionsCD4+ T cell count (<300 cells/mm3) and a higher cumulative dose
of prednisone are important risk factors for severe infections in adult
patients with PNS.
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