Characteristics of renal pathology and coagulation function in IgA nephropathy and IgA vasculitis associated nephritis

Background The objective of this study is to investigate the clinical and pathological differences between patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and IgA vasculitis associated nephritis (IgAVN). Methods A total of 253 patients with IgAN and 71 patients with IgAVN were retrospectively included in the study, and clinical and laboratory data were collected and analysed. Results Compared with IgAVN group, months from onset to kidney biopsy were significantly prolonged in IgAN patients because of the lack of obvious symptoms such as rash, abdominal symptoms, and joint pain (13.5 +/- 26.6 vs. 10.2 +/- 31.6 months, P = 0.007), and the levels of serum creatinine (92.3 +/- 94.7 vs. 68.9 +/- 69.2 mu mol/L, P = 0.015) was higher and eGFR (99.1 +/- 35.2 vs. 123.4 +/- 41.8 mL/min/1.73m(2), P < 0.001) was lower in IgAN group. The pathological results revealed that patients with IgAN have a greater degree of chronic kidney injury compared to patients with IgAVN. In addition, the levels of plasma D-Dimers (1415.92 +/- 1774.69 vs. 496.78 +/- 711.91 ng/mL, P < 0.001) and fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) (3.92 +/- 4.73 vs. 1.63 +/- 2.46 mu g/mL, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in IgAVN patients than in IgAN patients. The deposition of fibrinogen in the renal tissues was more severe and the cumulative partial remission rate was higher in patients with IgAVN as compared to those with IgAN (P = 0.001). Conclusions In comparison, IgAN patients had poorer renal function, whereas IgAVN patients had more severe coagulation abnormalities. These findings provide a basis for the differentiation of the two diseases at an early stage.