General Information for the Public

IgA Nephropathy is one of the most common kidney diseases behind those caused by high blood pressure or diabetes. It occurs when IgA immunoglobulin—a protein that usually helps the body fight infections—becomes abnormal, causing it to settle in the kidneys and affect the kidneys’ ability to filter waste from the blood. While there is currently no cure for the condition, when caught early, steps can be taken to prevent or delay kidney failure.

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What is IgA Nephropathy?

IgA Nephropathy is a disease that damages the kidneys. It occurs when IgA immunoglobin—a protein that usually helps the body fight infections—becomes abnormal, causing it to settle in the kidneys and affect the kidneys’ ability to filter waste from the blood.

There is currently no cure for IgA Nephropathy, but common treatments include lifestyle changes, supplements, medications that lower blood pressure and cholesterol, medications that reduce inflammation, and/or medications that suppress the immune system.

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While IgA Nephropathy is a rare disease, it’s one of the most common kidney diseases besides those resulting from high blood pressure or diabetes.

An estimated 20% to 40% of people with IgA Nephropathy will develop end-stage kidney disease within 20 years of diagnosis and need dialysis or kidney transplant.

The percentage of kidney failure attributable to IgA Nephropathy is 5 times greater in Asian Americans than Caucasians and 15 times greater in Asian Americans than African Americans. Learn more

The first symptom of IgA Nephropathy is typically blood in urine, but it may also show up as spikes in blood pressure, brown urine or an abnormal kidney function test. Diagnosis requires a kidney biopsy, or a doctor examining a piece of a patient’s kidney tissue.

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