IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)

What is IgA nephropathy (IgAN)?

IgA nephropathy (IgAN), also known as Berger’s Disease, is a chronic kidney disease that can progress to kidney failure. It occurs when there is a buildup of antibodies in the kidneys, which damages them. IgAN usually follows a viral infection in the upper respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts. It usually appears during teenage years, but patients may not show symptoms in its early stages. In the United States, it is twice as likely to appear in men than in women. It is estimated to affect about 130,000 people in the U.S. per year.

What are the symptoms of IgAN?

In early stages, IgAN might not show any symptoms. It can be silent for years. Once symptoms do appear, the following are the most common:

Blood in urine
High blood pressure
Pain in loin area
Pain in sides of the back, below the ribs
Swelling in hands and feet
Drowsiness
Large amounts of protein in urine
Kidney failure

What causes IgAN?

IgAN occurs when immunoglobin A (IgA) deposits build up in the kidneys. IgA is an antibody—a protein that protects the body from invaders like bacteria and viruses. When too much of it builds up, inflammation occurs, which then damages kidney tissues and hampers the kidneys’ ability to filter wastes from the blood. IgAN affects the kidneys by attacking the glomeruli, which are the parts of the kidneys that filter waste and remove extra fluid from blood. The buildup of IgA damages the glomeruli, causing the kidneys to leak blood and protein into the urine. The exact causes of IgAN are not fully understood. Some believe that it is an autoimmune disease, while others believe that there are genetic factors playing a role.

How is IgAN diagnosed?

IgA nephropathy is diagnosed using the following procedures:

Kidney biopsy
Urine test
Blood test
Iothalamate clearance test, which tracks how well the kidneys are filtering waste
Recording of family history

What are the treatments for IgAN?

Most patients will receive care from a nephrologist, a doctor who specializes in kidney diseases. IgA nephropathy treatment includes, but is not limited to:

Medications to lower blood pressure
Medications to help the kidneys remove extra fluid from the blood, called diuretics
Medications to decrease inflammation
Reducing cholesterol levels
In the case of kidney failure, a transplant or dialysis is needed