IgA nephropathy is a chronic kidney disease. It progresses over 10 to 20 years, and it can lead to end-stage renal disease. It is caused by deposits of the protein immunoglobulin A (IgA) inside the filters (glomeruli) in the kidney.

Can IgA nephropathy be cured?

No cure exists for IgA nephropathy, but certain medications can slow its course. Keeping your blood pressure under control and reducing your cholesterol levels also slow the disease.

How long can you live with IgA nephropathy?

There was 50% kidney survival of 18.1 years, and 50% mortality occurred 31.0 years after diagnosis of IgA nephropathy. Survival in years from diagnostic kidney biopsy to date of death (red line) and to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) defined by the need for chronic dialysis or transplantation (blue line).