Assessment of current clinical practice throughout the UK for the diagnosis and management of monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance

Abstract

AbstractSince the inception of the term monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) in 2012 by the International Kidney and Monoclonal Gammopathy Research Group, there have been no consensus guidelines specifically pertaining to the UK regarding to patient management. We aimed to identify both regional and cross‐discipline variation in current clinical practice, to provide insight and rationale for a potential standardised pathway in the future. A national survey of 88 consultants from the disciplines of haematology and nephrology was conducted between June 2020 and July 2021. Agreement was evident for aspects of the diagnostic pathway, including presenting features likely to raise suspicion of MGRS and the most pertinent confounding factors to consider before renal biopsy. However, significant variability was identified in both the cohort of diagnostic tests used, as well as urinary work‐up for patients with suspected MGRS. Treatment and monitoring frequency was also an aspect of management identified as variable. Despite differences in clinical practice across the UK, MGRS diagnosis was widely regarded to be the joint responsibility of both disciplines. The results provide an indication of inter‐regional and interdisciplinary differences in practice, highlighting the need for improved awareness and standardised protocol for management of MGRS that applies to the UK population.