Clinical characteristics and outcomes of a patient population with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and malignant hypertension: analysis from the Global aHUS registry

Jean-Michel Halimi, Imad Al-Dakkak, Katerina Anokhina, Gianluigi Ardissino, Christoph Licht, Wai H. Lim, Annick Massart, Franz Schaefer, Johan Vande Walle, Eric Rondeau

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare form of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) often caused by alternative complement dysregulation. Patients with aHUS can present with malignant hypertension (MHT), which may also cause TMA. Methods This analysis of the Global aHUS Registry (NCT01522183) assessed demographics and clinical characteristics in eculizumab-treated and not-treated patients with aHUS, with (n = 71) and without (n = 1026) malignant hypertension, to further elucidate the potential relationship between aHUS and malignant hypertension. Results While demographics were similar, patients with aHUS + malignant hypertension had an increased need for renal replacement therapy, including kidney transplantation (47% vs 32%), and more pathogenic variants/anti-complement factor H antibodies (56% vs 37%) than those without malignant hypertension. Not-treated patients with malignant hypertension had the highest incidence of variants/antibodies (65%) and a greater need for kidney transplantation than treated patients with malignant hypertension (65% vs none). In a multivariate analysis, the risk of end-stage kidney disease or death was similar between not-treated patients irrespective of malignant hypertension and was significantly reduced in treated vs not-treated patients with aHUS + malignant hypertension (adjusted HR (95% CI), 0.11 [0.01-0.87], P = 0.036).Conclusions These results confirm the high severity and poor prognosis of untreated aHUS and suggest that eculizumab is effective in patients with aHUS +/- malignant hypertension. Furthermore, these data highlight the importance of accurate, timely diagnosis and treatment in these populations and support consideration of aHUS in patients with malignant hypertension and TMA.[GRAPHICS].
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)817-828
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Nephrology
Volume36
Issue number3
Early online date24 Sept 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2023

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Clinical characteristics and outcomes of a patient population with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and malignant hypertension: analysis from the Global aHUS registry'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this