Indirect Markers of Intestinal Damage in IgA Nephropathy.

Introduction: Presence of subclinical intestinal inflammation has repeatedly been shown in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and the degree of histological inflammation has correlated with abnormal urinary findings. There is lack of noninvasive biomarkers evaluating the presence of subclinical intestinal damage in IgAN. We conducted this study hypothesizing that selected biomarkers regarded as indirect markers of intestinal damage could be elevated in IgAN.

Presence of gastrointestinal symptoms in IgA nephropathy: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common in end-stage kidney disease. Mounting evidence indicates that the intestine plays an important role in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). However, no studies have addressed the obvious question; do IgAN patients suffer from GI symptoms?

Methods: Presence of GI symptoms and health-related quality of life were evaluated using the validated Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB) questionnaires in 104 patients with kidney biopsy-verified IgAN and in 147 healthy controls.

Prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Celiac Disease in Patients with IgA Nephropathy over Time.

Introduction: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) has been connected with increased intestinal permeability and subclinical intestinal mucosal inflammation as well as with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and celiac disease - nevertheless, the results are controversial. The prevalence of bowel diseases has increased over time in Western populations. Whether similar trend is seen among IgAN patients remains obscure.

Inflammatory bowel disease in patients undergoing renal biopsies.

Background: There are no good data in the literature on the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in patients with kidney disease and we do not know whether IBD affects the course of kidney disease or if the type of IBD is an influential factor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of IBD among patients who have undergone renal biopsies due to clinical indications and to elucidate whether the presence of IBD influences renal and patient outcomes.

Methods: We collected retrospective data on concomitant diseases, especially IBD, from adult patients undergoing renal biopsy for any clinical indication between 2000 and 2012 at Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.