MEASURING THE GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE OF SERUM SAMPLES WITH TC-99M DTPA AND THE PROTEIN TOLERANCE TEST TO DETERMINE THE RENAL FUNCTIONAL RESERVE IN THE EARLY PERIOD IN PATIENTS WITH BEHCET'S DISEASE

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine whether renal failure in patients with Behcet's disease can be determined in the early period by measuring the glomerular filtration rate of serum samples using technetium-99m diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid and the protein tolerance test. Materials and methods: This study included 24 patients who were treated and followed-up for Behcet's disease. glomerular filtration rate measurements were determined for each patient by evaluating the plasma clearance of diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid, which was labeled with technetium-99m, for two blood serum samples per patient, and the slope intercept method. These measurements were taken before (basal glomerular filtration rate) and after 3 days of oral protein intake (protein glomerular filtration rate). Results: There was a significant correlation between disease duration and the glomerular filtration change rate (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the basal glomerular filtration rate between patients with a duration of Behcet's disease <= 12 months and those with a duration > 12 months (p=0.523). On the other hand, the protein glomerular filtration rate of patients with a duration of Behcet's disease >12 months was significantly lower than that of patients with Behcet's disease for <= 12 months (p=0.006). In healthy individuals, there is a 20-40% increase in the glomerular filtration rate after protein intake. The ave-, rage glomerular filtration change rate in patients with Behcet's disease was 12.4 +/- 19%, which is significantly lower than that for healthy controls. Conclusion: In conclusion, the glomerular filtration rate measurements with technetium-99m diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid after a protein tolerance test may be used to determine renal damage in Behcet's disease.