Spectrum of IgA nephropathy in a single center

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Immunology
• Pathology

Background:

• Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) is the leading cause of primary glomerular disease globally.
• It significantly contributes to end-stage renal failure, exhibiting diverse geographical incidence.
• Understanding local IgAN characteristics is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence, clinical presentation, and histological patterns of IgAN at our institution.
• To correlate clinical features with histological findings in IgAN patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 116 patients diagnosed with primary IgAN via native kidney biopsy between 1998 and 2009.
• Evaluation of clinical data including age, gender, disease duration, blood pressure, urinalysis, and serum creatinine.
• Assessment of histological findings using the Haas morphological sub-classification and immunofluorescence studies.

Main Results:

• The study analyzed 116 IgAN patients (73% male, mean age 29.2 years).
• Nephrotic syndrome was the most frequent presentation, followed by chronic renal failure; gross hematuria was uncommon.
• Hypertension was noted in 63.2% of cases. Mean proteinuria was 2.5 g/day and mean serum creatinine was 3.04 mg/dL.
• Haas Class I was most common (44.4%). IgA co-deposition with C3 and lambda was frequent in immunofluorescence.
• Glomerular filtration rate declined with increasing histological damage.

Conclusions:

• The incidence of IgAN was 7.5%, lower than reported elsewhere.
• IgAN in this population presented with a more severe clinical profile.
• Advanced histological damage is linked to reduced glomerular filtration rate in IgAN.