IGA nephropathy--a clinicopathological review of 12 cases seen at the Department of Nephrology, General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur

From a total of 163 renal biopsies there were 12 cases (9.1%) of IgA nephropathy. All of them presented with symptomatic or asymptomatic proteinuria and/or haematuria. The pattern of disease here generally conforms to reports elsewhere. However in contrast it appears to be common in both sexes and the clinical course tends to be more severe In males. The absence of IgG In the glomeruli on immunoffourescence was an unexpected finding. The presence of hypertension, renal insufficiency and glomerulo·interstitial scarring seem to indicate poorer prognosis. There is no known effective treatment.