Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Goodpasture syndrome is a condition in which a person’s own body attacks the lungs and kidneys. This may result in coughing up blood and rapid kidney failure.
What is going on in the body?
Goodpasture syndrome is a type of autoimmune disease, in which the person’s body attacks its own tissue for unknown reasons. It occurs when a person’s antibodies mistakenly attack the air-filled sacs of the lungs and the tiny filters in the kidneys. This can lead to rapid kidney failure and lung problems.
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
The cause of Goodpasture syndrome is unknown. It is more commonly seen in people who smoke, or have been exposed to hydrocarbons, such as gasoline and paint thinners.
Symptoms & Signs
What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?
The symptoms of Goodpasture syndrome include:
Diagnosis & Tests
How is the disease diagnosed?
A person’s symptoms may make a healthcare provider suspect Goodpasture syndrome. The provider may order lab tests, such as:
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the disease?
There is no known way to prevent Goodpasture syndrome.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
If Goodpasture syndrome is not diagnosed and treated right away, the damage from the disease can lead to end-stage renal failure, in which the kidney ceases to function. Being exposed to hydrocarbons, smoking, and having a lung infection may increase a person’s risk of bleeding from lungs with Goodpasture syndrome.
What are the risks to others?
Goodpasture syndrome is not contagious, and poses no risk to others.
Treatment & Monitoring
What are the treatments for the disease?
Some of the treatments for Goodpasture syndrome include the following:
If there is complete kidney failure, dialysis may be necessary. This is a procedure in which a machine filters the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to do so.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
The side effects depend on the treatment used.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
Even after it has been treated, Goodpasture syndrome can sometimes occur again. If a person needs dialysis when he or she is first treated, chances are that the kidney damage cannot be corrected.
How is the disease monitored?
The healthcare provider should be contacted right away if there is blood in the urine or if the person coughs up blood. Regular urinalysis will be done to check for protein and blood in the urine. Kidney function tests and antibody titer tests will be done periodically to monitor kidney function and antibody formation.
Article type: xmedgeneral