Characteristics of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis based on a new classification at a single center

BackgroundRecently, a new classification has been established for membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). However, the effect of the new classification on MPGN treatment is not fully understood.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of 87 patients with biopsies diagnosed as MPGN. We reclassified 87 MPGN patients diagnosed between 1977 and 2014at our hospital, according to the new classification, and analyzed both primary immune complex (IC)- and complement (CP)-mediated MPGN in terms of clinicopathological features, treatment, and renal prognosis.ResultsProteinuria was abundant in the IC-mediated MPGN group (p=0.0063), and the serum albumin level was significantly lower in the IC-mediated MPGN group (p=0.0186). The serum C3 value was significantly lower in the CP-mediated MPGN group (p=0.0317). Serum CH50 values were also lower in the CP-mediated MPGN group (p=0.0404). However, glomerular deposition of C3 showed no significant differences in immunofluorescence findings. The 148.6-month renal survival rate was similar in both groups (p=0.445).ConclusionThese results suggested no significant differences in complement activation of the solid phase in local glomeruli and therefore no equivalence in renal prognosis.