Can IgA nephropathy stage 2 be cured?

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on December 17, 2024
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IgA nephropathy is an immunopathological diagnostic term for chronic glomerulonephritis, indicating that the patient has chronic nephritis. In fact, chronic nephritis does not have a concept of complete cure. Stage two patients indicate that the inflammatory reaction within the glomerulus is not very severe, but the patient may also show more proteinuria. In most cases, the renal function of these patients is still normal, and it may be necessary to decide whether to choose medications such as corticosteroids based on the amount of proteinuria. If the patient responds well to medication, the proteinuria may significantly decrease, or even turn negative, but it cannot be completely cured, as this is a chronic disease, and there is also a possibility of relapse in the later stages of the disease. (Please follow the doctor's orders regarding medication use.)

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Written by Ji Kang
Nephrology
1min 7sec home-news-image

IgA nephropathy is a disease.

IgA nephropathy is the most common type of primary glomerular disease, caused by the deposition of IgA-dominant immunoglobulins in the glomerular mesangial area. It has a short latency period, with symptoms appearing early. Clinical manifestations of IgA nephropathy are diverse, with approximately 40%-50% of patients experiencing macroscopic hematuria hours to two days after precursor symptoms such as upper respiratory tract infections, and some patients also suffer from severe back pain and abdominal pain. About 30%-40% of patients only present with asymptomatic hematuria or proteinuria. Approximately 5%-20% of patients exhibit severe edema and substantial proteinuria, showing symptoms of nephrotic syndrome. At the onset of the disease, about 10% of patients also have hypertension. As the disease progresses, those with hypertension can exceed 40%. Less than 10% of patients may experience acute renal failure.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Can IgA nephropathy stage 2 be cured?

IgA nephropathy is an immunopathological diagnostic term for chronic glomerulonephritis, indicating that the patient has chronic nephritis. In fact, chronic nephritis does not have a concept of complete cure. Stage two patients indicate that the inflammatory reaction within the glomerulus is not very severe, but the patient may also show more proteinuria. In most cases, the renal function of these patients is still normal, and it may be necessary to decide whether to choose medications such as corticosteroids based on the amount of proteinuria. If the patient responds well to medication, the proteinuria may significantly decrease, or even turn negative, but it cannot be completely cured, as this is a chronic disease, and there is also a possibility of relapse in the later stages of the disease. (Please follow the doctor's orders regarding medication use.)

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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IgA nephropathy manifestations

IgA nephropathy is a pathological type of chronic glomerulonephritis. The clinical manifestations of this disease are diverse, with the typical clinical presentation of IgA nephropathy being hematuria, especially visible hematuria following a cold. However, patients may also exhibit other features, such as significant amounts of urinary protein. In some cases, this can reach the level of 3.5g in a 24-hour urine protein quantification. Patients may experience edema, such as swelling in the lower limbs, eyelids, etc. There could also be clinical presentations of high blood pressure, rapid progression of renal failure, and other symptoms.

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Written by Ji Kang
Nephrology
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How to determine the stages of IgA nephropathy?

IGA nephropathy has different grading methods, such as Lee grading and Hass grading. Both classify the pathological changes of IGA nephropathy into five stages, with similar descriptions. According to the Lee grading: Grade 1: Most glomeruli are normal, with occasional mild mesangial widening or without cellular proliferation, and no tubulointerstitial changes. Grade 2: Glomeruli show focal mesangial proliferation, with no tubulointerstitial changes. Grade 3: Glomeruli exhibit diffuse mesangial proliferation, with occasional segmental focal lesions, rare crescents, and adhesions, focal interstitial edema, and rare cellular infiltration. Grade 4: Glomeruli show diffuse severe mesangial proliferation and sclerosis, partial or segmental glomerulosclerosis, crescent formation observed but less than 45%, tubular atrophy, interstitial infiltration. Grade 5: The nature of the lesions is similar to grade 4 but more severe. Crescent formation in glomeruli is greater than 45%.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
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How is IgA nephropathy caused?

IgA nephropathy is a common glomerular disease and a major cause of uremia. However, the exact cause of IgA nephropathy is not very clear. Current research suggests that it is caused by factors such as infections which stimulate the production of autoantibodies, forming immune complexes that deposit in the glomeruli. This leads to inflammation of the glomeruli, eventually stimulating mesangial cell proliferation and accumulation of extracellular matrix, causing glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. IgA nephropathy is a very covert disease, often presenting as asymptomatic hematuria or increased urine protein. Many patients discover this condition incidentally during physical examinations. Some individuals have a history of upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infections before the onset of the disease, followed by the discovery of gross hematuria. IgA nephropathy is more common in children and adolescents.