Background: IgA nephropathy is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. Prognosis depends on the class of IgA nephropathy. There are only few studies to document the prevalence or clinicopathological spectrum of Primary IgA nephropathy in India.

Objectives: To study the clinic-epidemiological profile of primary IgA nephropathy.

Methodology: The study included renal biopsies diagnosed to have primary IgA nephropathy, received by the Department of Pathology, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore during a period of 10 years from January 2004 to December 2013. The study was both retrospective ((January 2004 to April 2012) and prospective (May 2012 to December 2013). The clinical data and laboratory findings were retrieved from the Medical Records Department of St. John’s Medical College & Hospital, Bangalore in all cases. The histological sections were reviewed along with the immunofluorescence findings and the relevant clinical data was analysed

Results: Out of 123 cases studied, age group ranged from 4 years to 70 years with the largest incidence in the 20 – 30 years age group (35%) and an average age of 32.74 years, males predominated (70.7%) with a male: female ratio being 2.4:1. Hypertension was found in 48(39%) cases, hematuria in 53(43%) cases and proteinuria in 51(42%) cases.

Summary and Conclusion: The incidence of IgAN was 2.4 times more common in males than in females. Haas class IV was the most common class. Hematuria was the most common clinical presentation. This study necessitates for early intervention strategies as well as screening programmes, not only to identify and treat the patients, but also for a better understanding of the factors which lead to this rapid and early progression.

Keywords: IgA nephropathy, Haas classification, hematuria, proteinuria.

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Dr Sivaganesh @ Porko. G

Assistant Professsor, Department of Pathology, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry, India – 605009