IgA nephritis with nephrotic range proteinuria.

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Immunology
• Pathology

Background:

• IgA nephritis is a common glomerulonephritis.
• Nephrotic range proteinuria is rare in IgA nephritis.
• Understanding clinical and pathological differences is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare clinical and pathological features of IgA nephritis with and without nephrotic range proteinuria.
• To identify factors associated with nephrotic range proteinuria in IgA nephritis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective comparison of 63 non-nephrotic patients with 8 nephrotic patients with IgA nephritis.
• Analysis of clinical data and kidney biopsy findings.
• Assessment of serum creatinine levels during follow-up.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in age or disease duration at diagnosis between groups.
• Nephrotic range proteinuria associated with glomerular hyalinization, interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, foot process effacement, and mesangial matrix increase.
• Elevated serum creatinine on follow-up was more common in nephrotic patients.

Conclusions:

• Nephrotic range proteinuria in IgA nephritis suggests a more severe disease phenotype at onset.
• Proteinuria severity reflects underlying pathology rather than solely disease duration.