A case of polycythemia vera (PV) associated with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) in a 57-year-old man is described. The patient had a mild enlargement of the kidneys and elevated serum creatinine level, whereas the glomerular filtration rate was normal. Pathological observation under a light microscope showed mild mesangial hyperplasia. The urinary protein level was found to be positively correlated with changes in blood cell counts. After controlling blood pressure, anti-platelet, hydroxyurea treatment, the patient's proteinuria decreased and renal function remained in the normal range. PV associated with renal disease is rare and generally considered to be associated with hypervolemia or high-viscosity-induced renal hyperperfusion and hyperfiltration. This is a rare case of PV associated with IgAN without a high filtration rate. A review of the clinical features of PV associated with renal disease from previous literature was also conducted. The histological results of the cases varied and included IgAN, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.
Keywords: immunoglobulin A nephropathy; polycythemia vera.