Distribution of kidney diseases in Joinville, Santa Catarina: analysis of a kidney biopsy data bank between 2008 and 2019

INTRODUCTION: Studies based on kidney biopsies are important for the epidemiological understanding of nephropathies. OBJECTIVE: To describe the main nephropathies diagnosed through renal biopsies, and compare them with regards to gender, time, healthcare insurance and age. METHODS: A population-based retrospective study that reviewed all kidney disease diagnoses obtained by biopsy of a native kidney from pathology services between 2008 and 2019 in Joinville, Brazil. RESULTS: Of 778 biopsies performed, 44.5% were primary nephropathies and 28.5% were secondary. The highest prevalence was focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) [18.1%], followed by tubulointerstitial nephropathy (TIN) [15.9%] and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) [9.1%]. There was a growing increase in the prevalence of TIN among elderly and uninsured patients over the period. In the multivariate analysis, among the primary glomerulopathies, males had a higher risk for the occurrence of IgAN [OR=2.02; 95% CI 1.13-3.61; p=0.018], as well as being a protective factor for the occurrence of lupus glomerulonephritis (LGN) [OR=0.20, 95% CI 0.08-0.49; p<0.001]. Advancing age and dependence on a public healthcare decreased the likelihood of having a diagnosis of LGN [OR=0.91, 95% CI 0.88-0.94, p < 0.001 and OR=0.45, CI 95 % 0.21-0.96; p = 0.036, respectively]. Patients without private healthcare insurance were more likely to have TIN [OR=1.77, 95%CI 1.16-2.70; p = 0.008]. CONCLUSION: Sex, age and type of medical healthcare insurance may be related to the occurrence of some nephropathies. The increased risk of TIN in individuals without a private healthcare plan may be an indication of inequalities in health care.