IgA nephropathy (Berger’s disease)
Overview
IgA nephropathy, also known as Berger’s disease, is a chronic kidney disease in which immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies build up in the kidneys, causing inflammation and damage to the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units that remove waste from the blood. Over time, this damage can reduce kidney function and may lead to chronic kidney disease or kidney failure in some people.
Common Symptoms
Darker colored urine, urine with blood, upper respiratory/other infection, foamy urine, pain in one or both sides of your back beneath the ribs, swelling of the feet or hands, and high blood pressure.
Coexisting Diseases and Conditions
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, acute kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, or nephrotic syndrome (a kidney disorder that causes your body to pass too much protein in your urine).
Risk Factors and Prevalence
Males have been found to be affected at least twice as often as females. Caucasians and Asians have a higher risk than African Americans. Age of highest incidence is between late teens and late 30s. A family history of IgA is associated with 10% of reported cases.
Recent Research
- Efficacy and safety of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers for IgA nephropathy in children (2022)
- Circulating microrna (148b and 150) as potential biomarker in IgA nephropathy and lupus nephritis (2021)
- IgA nephropathy as the initial presentation of celiac disease in an adolescent (2021)
- Role of IL-6 and IL-10 in IgA nephropathy and lupus nephritis (2021)
Sources
- Sources
Cedars-Sinai. (n.d.). Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Nephropathy. Cedars Sinai. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/i/immunoglobulin-a-iga-nephropathy.html#:~:text=IgA%20nephropathy%20is%20a%20chronic,(glomeruli)%20in%20the%20kidney
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019, May 17). IgA nephropathy (Berger’s disease). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iga-nephropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352268
National Kidney Foundation Inc. (2020, June 15). IgA Nephropathy. National Kidney Foundation. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/iganeph