Frequency of IgA Nephropathy Presenting at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan

Objective: To determine the frequency of IgA nephropathy presenting at a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: A cross sectional, observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad and Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan, from November 2008 to November 2014. Methodology: This was a retrospective analysis of renal biopsies for the diagnosis of nephropathy during the study period. Biopsies were stained with fluorescence isothyocyanate (FITC) labelled antibodies against IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, C4 and C1q for fluorescent microscopy. For histopathological examination, the specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Periodic acid Schiff and methanamine silver stains for light microscopy. Results: Out of total 1,658 renal biopsy cases, 142 (8.6%) were diagnosed as IgA nephropathy on light and immunofluorescence microscopy. Majority of IgA nephropathy patients were young (mean age = 33.2) and presented with proteinuria. The frequency rose from 2% in 2008 to 9.4% in 2014. Conclusion: IgA nephropathy was present in younger population and has a rising trend in our population.