Loin Pain Hematuria Syndrome
Loin pain hematuria syndrome (LPHS) is characterized by unexplained loin pain and blood in the urine (hematuria). The pain can be on one or both sides of the body. The frequency and length of pain episodes can vary. The blood may be easily seen in the urine or may only be seen under a microscope.
LPHS main features for diagnosis include hematuria and pain for at least 6 months. However, the diagnosis can take a long time to be confirmed, and can be done only after ruling out other possible causes of the loin pain and blood in the urine, through a variety of tests.
LPHS can be primary or secondary. LPHS is considered primary when it occurs by itself; LPHS is secondary when it occurs as part of a glomerular disease, such as IgA nephropathy. A kidney biopsy may be done if there were indications of a glomerular disease, to rule out secondary LPHS, because in these cases the kidney tissue shows the specific alterations of the underlying disease.
The cause of primary LPHS is currently unknown. Treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms, mainly through pain management. LPHS is not known to cause major kidney damage, end-stage kidney disease, or early death. Secondary LPHS treatment and prognosis depend on the underlying disease.
LPHS main features for diagnosis include hematuria and pain for at least 6 months. However, the diagnosis can take a long time to be confirmed, and can be done only after ruling out other possible causes of the loin pain and blood in the urine, through a variety of tests.
LPHS can be primary or secondary. LPHS is considered primary when it occurs by itself; LPHS is secondary when it occurs as part of a glomerular disease, such as IgA nephropathy. A kidney biopsy may be done if there were indications of a glomerular disease, to rule out secondary LPHS, because in these cases the kidney tissue shows the specific alterations of the underlying disease.
The cause of primary LPHS is currently unknown. Treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms, mainly through pain management. LPHS is not known to cause major kidney damage, end-stage kidney disease, or early death. Secondary LPHS treatment and prognosis depend on the underlying disease.