Fifteen patients with 5–23 years duration of IgA glomerulonephritis were studied.

Abstract

Fifteen patients with 5-23 years duration of IgA glomerulonephritis were studied. Four children were serially investigated from the onset. Clearance of inulin and PAH, and urinary excretion of sodium were studied during hydropenia and isotonic saline volume expansion.GFR was depressed at the onset of the disease but normalized during the following months. Sodium excretion was low still after six months but then became normal. At the investigation at one and two years renal function was normal but all patients had signs of active disease and residual biopsy changes indicating an adaptation. At 5 years GFR in all four children had increased to high normal and sodium excretion during volume expansion was somewhat decreased.Of the nine patients investigated after 9-23 years two had decreased GFR, 15 and 29 ml/min/1.73 m2 10 years from onset. Both had hypertension. The others had normal or high GFR and in three fractional sodium excretion was increased. One of the latter had manifest and one had inconstant hypertension. Except more pronounced proteinuria the clinical course of the patients with decreased GFR did not differ from the others.IgA glomerulonephritis thus could be a serious disease with risk of development of hypertension as well as renal insufficiency. The course of IgA glomerulonephritis can not be predicted within 5 years from onset.