Clinical observation of palatine tonsils with IgA nephropathy

We have previously reported that clinical remission could be achieved by combination therapy consisting of steroid pulse therapy and tonsillectomy in patients with IgA nephropathy. However, there is no consensus as to the indications for tonsillectomy in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients. To clarify whether there is any correlation between characteristics of removed palatine tonsils and clinical remission rate, we evaluated the relationships between the remission rate of urinary abnormalities and characteristics of 186 IgAN patients (aged 11-65 years) with mild or moderate renal pathology and their tonsils. Remission of proteinuria was observed in 134 patients (72%) and remission of hematuria was observed in 111 patients (60%). There was no significant difference in remission rate of either proteinuria or hematuria in terms of the past history of recurrent tonsillitis, episodes of synpharyngitic gross hematuria, pus plugs in the tonsillar lacunae, size of tonsils, age and the results of tonsillar provocation tests. Our findings suggest that it is very difficult to predict the efficacy of tonsillectomy and steroid pulse therapy based on the gross appearance of tonsils, the tonsillar provocation test or clinical episodes of tonsillitis. Moreover, contraindication of tonsillectomy for aged IgAN patients is not always justified.