The Frequency of IgA Nephropathy at a Single Center in Pakistan

Objectives: To detect the prevalence of IgA nephropathy in Pakistani patients, as no significant published data from this part of the developing world is available in the international literature for reference. Method: The study was conducted in a university hospital on 105 consecutive renal biopsy specimens. Direct immunofluorescence microscopy was performed using antibodies specific for the heavy chains of IgG, IgA, IgM, C3 and fibrinogen. Results: Seventy-nine (79) cases were classified as glomerulopathies, out of which 10 cases (12.65%) were diagnosed as IgA nephropathy, among which one case was that of Henoch- Schonlein purpura. The age range was 6 to 65 years with median age of 25 years and male to female ratio was 1.5: 1. Nephrotic range proteinuria was seen in 40% of cases and 50% cases showed impaired renal function. The light microscopic examination revealed diffuse proliferative pattern in 3 cases out of which one case showed crescent formations. Focal-segmental glomerulosclerosis, minimum histologic lesion and advanced chronic glomerulonephritic patterns were observed in 2 cases each and in one case focal proliferative morphology was appreciated. Conclusion: The frequency of IgA nephropathy among glomerular diseases was 12.65% in our study, which is somewhat higher when comparing the studies from North America, United Kingdom and Northwest Europe. However, it was significantly lower when comparing the studies from other parts of Asi