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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffIgA nephropathy (nuh-FROP-uh-the) is a common kidney disease that occurs when an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA) lodges in your kidneys. This hampers your kidneys' ability to filter waste, excess water and electrolytes from your blood. Over time, IgA nephropathy — also called Berger's disease — can lead to blood and protein in your urine, high blood pressure, and swollen hands and feet.
IgA nephropathy usually progresses slowly over many years, and although some people eventually achieve complete remission, others develop end-stage kidney failure. No cure exists for IgA nephropathy, but certain medications can slow its course.
Keeping your blood pressure under control and reducing your cholesterol levels also may help keep IgA nephropathy in check.
- IgA nephropathy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/iganephropathy/. Accessed Sept. 21, 2010.
- Nephrotic syndrome. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec17/ch235/ch235b.html. Accessed Sept. 22, 2010.
- Barrat J, et al. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of IgA nephropathy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Barrat J, et al. Pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Donadio JV, et al. IgA nephropathy. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2002;347:738.
- Cattran DC, et al. Treatment and prognosis of IgA nephropathy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Cheng J, et al. Efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids therapy for IgA nephropathy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. American Journal of Nephrology. 2009;30:315.
- IgA nephropathy. National Kidney Foundation. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/iganeph.cfm. Accessed Sept. 22, 2010.
- Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 23, 2010.
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