A Global Evolutionary Trend of the Frequency of Primary Glomerulonephritis over the Past Four Decades

The pattern of glomerulonephritis (GN) in Singapore is compared with that of 19 other countries to review changing trends in the evolution of GN in Asian, Eastern, and Western countries.

Three thousand two hundred and eighty-nine renal biopsies in Singapore were reviewed and compared with that of 19 other countries.

IgA nephritis is on the decline in many countries, including Singapore, though it still remains the commonest GN in Singapore. Membranous GN that if used to be more frequently present in Western countries has also declined though it continues a rising trend in countries such as Singapore and China. Worldwide, the frequency of focal sclerosing glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) continues to increase in many countries, but in some countries, the frequency is still low with mesangiocapillary GN remaining indigenous.

Urbanization and socioeconomic changes and less exposure to parasitic and other infestations have transformed Singapore's pattern, which is tending toward that of more developed countries. Antigenic exposure due to lifestyle changes, environmental, and industrial pollution are significant contributory factors that affect the evolutionary trend of GN in many countries. The rising trend in the frequency of FSGS may reflect aging and obesity.