Epidemiology
IgAN is the commonest pattern of glomerulonephritis worldwide. It is diagnosed in 40% of all kidney biopsies performed in Asia, 20% of all kidney biopsies in Europe, and 10% of all kidney biopsies in the US.[10]Galla JH. IgA nephropathy. Kidney Int. 1995 Feb;47(2):377-87.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7723227?tool=bestpractice.com
[11]Haas M. Histologic subclassification of IgA nephropathy: a clinicopathologic study of 244 cases. Am J Kidney Dis. 1997 Jun;29(6):829-42.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9186068?tool=bestpractice.com
[12]Iseki K, Miyasoto F, Uehara H, et al. Outcome study of renal biopsy patients in Okinawa, Japan. Kidney Int. 2004 Sep;66(3):914-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15327381?tool=bestpractice.com
[13]Li LS, Liu ZH. Epidemiologic data of renal diseases from a single unit in China: analysis based on 13,519 renal biopsies. Kidney Int. 2004 Sep;66(3):920-3.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15327382?tool=bestpractice.com
[14]Suzuki K, Honda K, Tanabe K, et al. Incidence of latent mesangial IgA deposition in renal allograft donors in Japan. Kidney Int. 2003 Jun;63(6):2286-94.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12753320?tool=bestpractice.com
[15]Waldherr R, Rambausek M, Duncker D, et al. Frequency of mesangial IgA deposits in a non-selected autopsy series. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 1989;4(11):943-6.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2516884?tool=bestpractice.com
These rates may differ, at least in part, due to differences in public health screening and biopsy practices. In countries with active screening programmes for kidney disease, and centres with a low threshold to perform a renal biopsy, the reported incidence of IgAN is higher, as more patients with mild disease are identified.
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