| Theme |
Importance of Preservative Management in Chronic Renal Failure -- for a Better Dialysis |
| Title |
Chronic glomerulonephritis (IgA nephropathy) |
| Author |
Makoto Ogura |
Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine (Kashiwa Hospital) |
| [ Summary ] |
Although IgA nephropathy was considered a benign condition for many years, it is now clear that a large number of cases eventually progress to renal failure. Approximately 40% of patients progressed to end-stage renal failure (ESRF) within 20 years after renal biopsy. Prognostic research in Japan reveals that 46.2% of patients with IgA nephropathy (initial serum creatinine over 1.67 mg/dl) progress to ESRF within two years. In 1995, clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with IgA nephropathy in Japan were published. The characteristics of these guidelines are to define prognostic criteria to aid the selection of an appropriate treatment in individual patients. Patients are clinically dividedinto four prognostic groups at the time of renal biopsy based on light microscopic findings. Using these criteria, guidelines for treatment are determined. It is important to evaluate individual clinical and histological conditions for appropriate treatment. |