Immunoglobulin A nephropathy: a review of current literature on emerging pathophysiology

Am J Med Sci. 2014 Mar;347(3):249-53. doi: 10.1097/MAJ.0b013e31829406a0.

Abstract

Immunoglobulin (Ig) A nephropathy is one of the most common causes of glomerulonephritis worldwide. Its prognosis can be totally different in various patient populations, ranging from asymptomatic slow progression to end-stage renal disease in as much as 40% of patients in few months to years. This disease process can be idiopathic, or it can be associated with a variety of disease processes. Various risk stratification scoring systems are available, which can predict the long-term outcome. New evidences are also emerging that IgA nephropathy is an autoimmune disease with a known antigen, galactose-deficient IgA1, which can elicit an autoantibody response and formation of immune complexes that are deposited in the mesangium.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Glomerulonephritis, IGA / diagnosis
  • Glomerulonephritis, IGA / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Prognosis