Steroid therapy reduces mesangial matrix accumulation in advanced IgA nephropathy.

Background: Steroid therapy for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) has been reported to ameliorate the long-term prognosis of IgAN, but its mode of action has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we examined the effect of steroids on glomerular morphological changes in IgAN.

Methods: We examined 16 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN (male/female =11/5, mean age 32.

The product of duration and amount of proteinuria (proteinuria index) is a possible marker for glomerular and tubulointerstitial damage in IgA nephropathy.

Background/aims: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is one of the major causes for chronic renal failure (CRF). Presence of massive proteinuria, hypertension, increased serum creatinine level and sclerotic histopathological changes of the glomerulus are known to be determinants for the progression of CRF. However, the relationships between duration of proteinuria/hematuria and histopathological changes, which may be correlated with the renal prognosis, have not been clarified.