Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

Dioscin Mediated IgA Nephropathy Alleviation by Inhibiting B Cell Activation In Vivo and Decreasing Galactose-Deficient IgA1 Production In Vitro
Published on: October 13, 2023
Nationwide survey on current treatments for IgA nephropathy in Japan
Keiichi Matsuzaki1, Yusuke Suzuki, Junichiro Nakata
1Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
Background:
A wide variety of treatments, including tonsillectomy and steroid pulse therapy (TSP), are performed for the various stages of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in Japan. However, the current status of treatments for IgAN patients in Japan is still unclear. The objective of the present study was to investigate the current status of treatments for IgAN patients.
Methods:
A nationwide survey was conducted in 2008 by sending questionnaires to the 1,194 teaching hospitals of the Japanese Society of Nephrology (JSN) via Progressive Renal Diseases Research, Research on intractable disease, from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.
Results:
Among the total 376 hospitals (31.4 %) that responded, 188 hospitals (66.2 % in the internal medicine departments) performed TSP, out of which 137 hospitals (61.4 %) had begun to perform TSP in the period from 2004 to 2008. The following two major steroid pulse protocols in TSP were used: (1) three cycles over 3 consecutive weeks and (2) three cycles every 2 months. Approximately 68 % of pediatric hospitals (68 hospitals) performed combination therapy with prednisolone, azathioprine, heparin-warfarin and dipyridamole. The clinical remission rates for hematuria and proteinuria after TSP tended to be higher than those following other corticosteroid therapies. Almost all hospitals prescribed antiplatelet agents and renin angiotensin system inhibitor (RAS-I).
Conclusion:
In addition to popular treatments such as antiplatelet agents and RAS-I, TSP is becoming a standard treatment for adult IgAN patients in Japan.
Related Concept Videos
Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate
Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations

