What are the Risk Factors of IgA Nephropathy

IgA nephropathy, also known as Berger’s disease, is a primary glomerular disease. In the immunofluorescence of renal biopsy, there is deposition of large amount of IgA and IgA immune complex in mesangial area. Patients usually have repeated gross or microscopic hematuria with varying degrees’ proteinuria and some can have serious high blood pressure or renal insufficiency.

There are many factors that can induce IgA nephropathy and worsen the illness condition and it is necessary to know these risk factors so as to try to avoid them.

1. Infections. Upper respiratory infections such as cold might be the inducement factor of IgA. There are about 40% to 50% patients will have gross hematuria after upper respiratory infection (gastrointestinal or urinary tract infection).

2. Inflammations. Other renal inflammations can induce IgA because these inflammations can cause immune disorders in the body. As a result, there will be immune complex in the body. The deposition of immune complex in the kidneys will increase kidneys’ burden and damage renal tissues and vessels. Once the renal fibrosis is started, renal damages will be worse and worse. In case of IgA nephropathy, the body will produce IgA antibodies to fight against microbial antigens and the deposition of IgA and IgA immune complex in the kidney will induce extreme inflammatory reactions and impair renal tissues and organs.

3. Congenital renal tubule dysfunction. The most typical cases are atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus (sle), multiple myeloma, gout, etc. If they are not treated properly or timely, they are very likely to induce IgA.

4. Obstacles in urinary system. Urinary system obstacles such as sbnormalities in urination will cause retention of urine in the body and these toxins and wastes will poison the kidneys and induce many kidney diseases including IgA nephropathy.

IgA nephropathy is an auto-immune disease causing kidney damages and affecting kidney functions. Therefore we can see that so long as the immune disorders and dysfunctions are rectified and immune system is recovered can IgA be treated from the root. What is more, once the immunity is improved, patients will be strong enough to resist various infections and inflammations and the risk factors will be greatly reduced.