Goodpasture Syndrome (GPS): Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

Goodpasture Syndrome (GPS) is an autoimmune disorder. In this disorder, the underlying membranes of the kidneys and lungs are affected. This disease is said to occur when the body's defence system produces antibodies against collagen (a kind of protein that is involved in the formation of connectivity tissues), in turn, attacking the lungs and kidneys ^[1] .

Another name for GPS is Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Antibody Disease (anti-GBM) ^[2] . The initial symptoms of this ailment are mild and extremely misleading, for instance, fatigue. This is because such symptoms can be common with other disorders too. GPS can be fatal if not treated on time.

Read on to know more about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of GPS.

What Is Goodpasture Syndrome (GPS)?

It is a pulmonary-renal syndrome ^[3] . This is linked to a group of acute illnesses that involve the kidney and lungs. GPS is likely to involve the following conditions.

• Glomerulonephritis or inflammation of the glomeruli (tiny clusters of blood vessels in the kidney that help in filtering wastes and extra water from the blood) ^[4]
• Presence of anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies ^[5]
• Bleeding in the lungs.

In this condition, the immune cells tend to produce antibodies against a specific region of collagen ^[6] . The antibodies are such that they attack the collagen in the kidneys and lungs.

This syndrome was first brought to light by Ernest Goodpasture who reported a patient dying from bleeding in the lungs and kidney failure during the influenza pandemic in the year 1919.

Causes Of Goodpasture Syndrome (GPS)

Although detailed research is still pending as to what could be the real cause behind GPS, it is largely believed that it is caused due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. This autoimmune condition can be caused due to any of the following ^[7] :

• Cigarette smoke.

• Inhaled hydrocarbons
• Viral infections
• Use of hair dyes
• Exposure to metallic dust
• Use of certain drugs such as cocaine.

Symptoms Of Goodpasture Syndrome (GPS)

The symptoms begin to show slowly over a period of time. The following are the major first symptoms ^[8] :

• Difficulty in breathing
• Pale skin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue.

The lungs are usually affected before the effect begins to show on the kidneys. The symptoms start off initially as difficulty in breathing but can slowly move over to shortness of breath followed by severe coughing, sometimes with blood ^[9] .

The following symptoms are observed when the kidneys are affected ^[10] :

• Blood in the urine
• Foamy urine
• High blood pressure
• Swelling in the legs
• Burning sensation while urinating
• Back pain below the ribs.

Dialysis or a kidney transplant might be necessary if Goodpasture syndrome has resulted in kidney failure.

Diagnosis Of Goodpasture Syndrome (GPS)

You should see your doctor if any of the characteristic symptoms of Goodpasture syndrome occur. Your doctor might conduct the following diagnostic tests:

• Urinalysis: If there are high levels of protein and a high number of red blood cells ^[11] in the urine, there could be kidney damage.

• Chest X-ray: The results obtained can show if there's lung damage. For instance, abnormal white patches could indicate lung bleeding.
  Blood test: A blood sample is obtained to analyze the presence of antibodies that attack the lungs and kidneys.
• Biopsy: A small kidney or lung tissue is obtained to check for the presence of Goodpasture syndrome antibodies.

Treatment Of Goodpasture Syndrome (GPS)

Prompt and aggressive treatment is required to ^[12]

• fight harmful antibodies,
• control fluid buildup,
• prevent serious kidney and lung disease, and
• control high blood pressure.

The treatment procedure usually involves the use of oral immunosuppressive drugs such as corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide ^[13] . These drugs work by decreasing the immune system's production of Goodpasture syndrome antibodies. The treatment with these drugs can continue for a period of six to twelve months.

Another procedure known as 'plasmapheresis' can also be used as a treatment option. This helps in the removal of harmful antibodies from the blood ^[14] . The procedure involves drawing out blood from the body and placing it in a centrifuge. The centrifuge separates the red and white blood cells from the plasma (the component that contains the Goodpasture Syndrome antibodies). The red and white blood cells are mixed into a plasma substitute and then returned to the patient's body. This procedure would need to be continued daily for several weeks. It can last for as long as two years.

On A Final Note...

Being a disorder that can turn fatal if not treated, it is advised that one seek medical intervention even if there is a slight concern with regard to the symptoms that might be showing up, even if it is in the mild form. Experts say that diet and nutritional factors have not been associated with causing or preventing Goodpasture syndrome ^[15] .