Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for IgA nephropathy 2014

1. Definition and background IgA nephropathy (IgAN, also known as Berger’s disease) is a disease characterized by urinary findings suggesting glomerulonephritis; predominantly, IgA is deposited in the glomeruli, with no evidence of other underlying disease. Glomerular hematuria and proteinuria are urinary findings that suggest glomerulonephritis. Renal biopsy findings, which are required for confirming the diagnosis of glomerulonephritis, include IgA deposits mainly in the glomerular mesangium and occasionally in the capillary loops. In many cases, C3 is also co-deposited. The rate of progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is approximately 40 % at 20 years after diagnosis. Treatment may include therapy with renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers, antiplatelet agents, oral corticosteroids, fish oil, or non-steroidal immunosuppressive agents; steroid pulse therapy; or tonsillectomy. The therapeutic effects of each have been examined, but an effective treatment regimen is yet to be established.