IgA Nephropathy
Encounter flow
12/12 authoredCanonical 12-phase frame with authored status for this dossier.
Frame
Confirm IgA nephropathy via biopsy with dominant mesangial IgA deposition + persistent hematuria/proteinuria (KDIGO 2021 GN)
Biopsy-confirmed or high clinical suspicion (KDIGO 2021 GN)
Patient inputs (11)
Age at presentation + ethnicity informs IIgAN risk + therapy selection (KDIGO 2021 GN; Barbour 2018)
eGFR is core risk + treatment escalation driver (KDIGO 2021 GN)
BP target <120/70 (or <130/80 per latest); ACEi/ARB max-dose first-line (KDIGO 2021 GN)
Hematuria + proteinuria + dysmorphic RBCs define presentation (KDIGO 2021 GN)
Proteinuria quantification drives therapy escalation; >0.75-1 g/d threshold for budesonide (NefIgArd Lafayette Lancet 2023)
Synpharyngitic timing is classic — 1-3 days post URI vs 2-3 weeks post-infectious GN (KDIGO 2021 GN)
IgA vasculitis (HSP) overlap — palpable purpura, arthralgia, abdominal pain (KDIGO 2021 GN)
Familial IgAN rare; informs counselling (KDIGO 2021 GN)
Elevated in ~50% of IgAN; supportive but non-diagnostic (KDIGO 2021 GN)
Normal C3/C4 expected in IgAN; low complement → reconsider lupus/MPGN/post-infectious (KDIGO 2021 GN)
IIgAN risk-prediction tool stratifies by race/ethnicity (Barbour JAMA Intern Med 2019 PMID 30980653)
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Severity triggers (12)
- informationallife_threateningrpgn_iga_crescenticRPGN-IgA crescentic — rapid eGFR decline + RBC casts + crescents on biopsy → route renal.rpgn.core.v1 (KDIGO 2021 GN)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalseverenephrotic_range_proteinuriaNephrotic-range proteinuria >3.5 g/d in IgAN — guarded prognosis (KDIGO 2021 GN)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalsevereckd_progression_to_esrdCKD progression to ESRD — ~25-30% of IgAN at 20 years; transplant evaluation (KDIGO 2024 CKD)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalseveremest_c_high_activityHigh Oxford MEST-C activity on biopsy — M1/E1/S1/T1/T2/C1/C2 (Mesangial / Endocapillary / Segmental sclerosis / Tubular atrophy / Crescents) (Coppo Kidney Int 2014; KDIGO 2021 GN)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalsevereiigan_high_risk_calculatorHigh risk per International IgA Nephropathy Risk Prediction Tool (Barbour Kidney Int 2018) — eGFR + UPCR + BP + MEST-C + race → 5-yr 50% eGFR decline/ESRD risk (Barbour 2018 PMID 30980653)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalsevereiga_vasculitis_hsp_overlapIgA Vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura) — palpable purpura + arthralgia + GI involvement + IgA nephritis (KDIGO 2021 GN)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalsevererefractory_to_budesonideContinued progression on budesonide — sparsentan or refractory regimens (PROTECT Lancet 2023)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalseverepregnancy_planning_on_sparsentanPregnancy intent or pregnancy on sparsentan — teratogen; REMS contraception mandatory (PROTECT Lancet 2023; FDA REMS)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalmoderatepersistent_microscopic_hematuria_proteinuriaPersistent microscopic hematuria + proteinuria — classic IgAN presentation (KDIGO 2021 GN)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalmoderaterefractory_to_optimized_supportiveUPCR >0.75-1 g/g after 3-6 months optimized supportive therapy — escalate to budesonide (NefIgArd Lancet 2023)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalmildsynpharyngitic_hematuriaGross hematuria 1-3 days after URI — pathognomonic IgAN presentation (KDIGO 2021 GN)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalmildfamilial_iga_nephropathyFamilial IgA nephropathy — rare; counselling + family screening (KDIGO 2021 GN)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
Workflow calculators
Run this disease's risk and dosing calculators inline.
Recommended regimen
IgA nephropathy stepwise therapy — optimized supportive → budesonide → sparsentan/refractory (KDIGO 2021 GN; NefIgArd Lancet 2023; PROTECT Lancet 2023)- lisinoprilfirst lineacei10 mg PO daily, titrate to max tolerated (typically 40 mg) • PO • dailytriggers: proteinuria_or_htnKDIGO 2021 GN — max-dose ACEi/ARB is foundation; titrate to BP <120/70 + minimize proteinuriarxcui 29046
- losartanfirst linearb50-100 mg PO daily, titrate to max tolerated • PO • dailytriggers: acei_intolerantKDIGO 2021 GN — ARB equivalent first-line if ACEi cough/angioedemarxcui 52175
- empagliflozinadd onsglt2i10 mg PO daily • PO • dailytriggers: proteinuria, egfr_gte_20EMPA-KIDNEY + DAPA-CKD — SGLT2i slows progression of proteinuric CKD including IgAN subgroup; KDIGO 2024 CKDrxcui 1545653
- dapagliflozinadd onsglt2i10 mg PO daily • PO • dailytriggers: proteinuria, egfr_gte_25, empa_unavailableDAPA-CKD Heerspink NEJM 2020 — alternative SGLT2i; KDIGO 2024 CKDrxcui 1488564
outpatient playbook — drug actions (5)
- 1. ACEi/ARB max-doseLisinopril titrated to 40 mg or losartan 100 mg • PO • dailytrigger: All IgANKDIGO 2021 GN foundation
- 2. SGLT2i (empa/dapa)10 mg PO daily • PO • dailytrigger: Proteinuria + eGFR >20-25EMPA-KIDNEY / DAPA-CKD (KDIGO 2024 CKD)
- 3. budesonide targeted-release16 mg PO daily × 9 months then taper • PO • dailytrigger: UPCR >0.75-1 g/g on Step 1 ≥3 monthsNefIgArd Lafayette Lancet 2023 PMID 37591292
- 4. sparsentan (replaces ACEi/ARB)200-400 mg PO daily • PO • dailytrigger: Refractory to Step 1+2 with progressive eGFR declinePROTECT Heerspink Lancet 2023 PMID 37015244; REMS — LFT + pregnancy monitoring
- 5. statin per ASCVD riskModerate-intensity • PO • dailytrigger: CV-risk modificationKDIGO 2024 CKD + ACC/AHA Lipid 2026
Auto-drafted A&P note
outpatientSubjective
- Possible entry pathways: Gross hematuria 1-3 days after URI (synpharyngitic — pathognomonic) (KDIGO 2021 GN); Persistent microscopic hematuria + proteinuria (KDIGO 2021 GN); eGFR decline >50% over days-weeks (crescentic IgA → route renal.rpgn.core.v1) (KDIGO 2021 GN).
Objective
- No vitals, labs, or imaging entered for this encounter.
Assessment
**IgA Nephropathy** (renal.iga-nephropathy.v1). Phenotype framing: IgAN classic / IgA vasculitis (HSP) / crescentic-IgA (→ renal.rpgn) / post-infectious GN / lupus / MPGN / Alport (KDIGO 2021 GN) Scope: Confirm IgA nephropathy via biopsy with dominant mesangial IgA deposition + persistent hematuria/proteinuria (KDIGO 2021 GN) No severity triggers fired against current inputs.
Plan
Regimen axis: **IgA nephropathy stepwise therapy — optimized supportive → budesonide → sparsentan/refractory (KDIGO 2021 GN; NefIgArd Lancet 2023; PROTECT Lancet 2023)** — step "Step 1 — Optimized supportive therapy (RAS max-dose + SGLT2i + BP/Na/lifestyle/CV-risk)". 1. lisinopril 10 mg PO daily, titrate to max tolerated (typically 40 mg) PO daily (acei, first line) — KDIGO 2021 GN — max-dose ACEi/ARB is foundation; titrate to BP <120/70 + minimize proteinuria 2. losartan 50-100 mg PO daily, titrate to max tolerated PO daily (arb, first line) — KDIGO 2021 GN — ARB equivalent first-line if ACEi cough/angioedema 3. empagliflozin 10 mg PO daily PO daily (sglt2i, add on) — EMPA-KIDNEY + DAPA-CKD — SGLT2i slows progression of proteinuric CKD including IgAN subgroup; KDIGO 2024 CKD 4. dapagliflozin 10 mg PO daily PO daily (sglt2i, add on) — DAPA-CKD Heerspink NEJM 2020 — alternative SGLT2i; KDIGO 2024 CKD Setting playbook (outpatient) — Primary management setting — RAS/SGLT2i optimization, IIgAN risk surveillance, budesonide/sparsentan escalation, CV/bone/fertility long-term (KDIGO 2021 GN; Barbour 2018; NefIgArd 2023) 5. ACEi/ARB max-dose Lisinopril titrated to 40 mg or losartan 100 mg PO daily — All IgAN (KDIGO 2021 GN foundation) 6. SGLT2i (empa/dapa) 10 mg PO daily PO daily — Proteinuria + eGFR >20-25 (EMPA-KIDNEY / DAPA-CKD (KDIGO 2024 CKD)) 7. budesonide targeted-release 16 mg PO daily × 9 months then taper PO daily — UPCR >0.75-1 g/g on Step 1 ≥3 months (NefIgArd Lafayette Lancet 2023 PMID 37591292) 8. sparsentan (replaces ACEi/ARB) 200-400 mg PO daily PO daily — Refractory to Step 1+2 with progressive eGFR decline (PROTECT Heerspink Lancet 2023 PMID 37015244; REMS — LFT + pregnancy monitoring) 9. statin per ASCVD risk Moderate-intensity PO daily — CV-risk modification (KDIGO 2024 CKD + ACC/AHA Lipid 2026) Non-pharmacologic actions: - Low-Na (<2 g/day) + low-protein (0.8 g/kg/day) diet (KDIGO 2021 GN) - Smoking cessation (KDIGO 2024 CKD) - Annual vaccination per ACIP 2026 — flu, COVID, pneumococcal (PCV20) (KDIGO 2021 GN) - Bone health Ca + vit D ± bisphosphonate if on systemic steroid (KDIGO 2021 GN) - Pregnancy counselling + REMS contraception if on sparsentan (PROTECT 2023) - Patient action card reinforced — gross hematuria with new symptoms / hemoptysis / oliguria → call MD/ED (KDIGO 2021 GN) AVOID / contraindication checks: - Acei arb hold if aki or hyperk (KDIGO 2021 GN) - Sglt2i hold if euglycemic dka risk (KDIGO 2024 CKD) - Budesonide pjp prophylaxis not routine but monitor (NefIgArd Lancet 2023) - Sparsentan rems liver monitoring pregnancy prevention (PROTECT Lancet 2023; FDA REMS) - Systemic steroid infection screen pre treatment (TESTING JAMA 2017) - Rituximab vaccinate prior hbv screen (KDIGO 2021 GN)
Monitoring
Regimen monitoring: - UPCR + UACR q3 months on therapy (KDIGO 2021 GN) - eGFR + Cr q3 months (KDIGO 2021 GN) - BP at each visit, target <120/70 or <130/80 (KDIGO 2021 GN) - LFTs for sparsentan REMS (PROTECT Lancet 2023) - Glucose + BP + bone health if systemic steroid (TESTING JAMA 2017) Setting (outpatient) monitoring: - UPCR + eGFR q3 months (KDIGO 2021 GN) - BP at each visit (KDIGO 2021 GN) - LFTs for sparsentan REMS (PROTECT 2023) - IIgAN risk score recalculated annually (Barbour 2018) - DEXA + bone health (steroid exposure) (KDIGO 2021 GN) Follow-up plan: q3-6 month nephrology visits; CV-risk modification (statin per ACC/AHA Lipid 2026); transplant evaluation if approaching ESRD; vaccination + lifestyle (KDIGO 2021 GN; KDIGO 2024 CKD) - Close-out criterion: Long-term plan documented (KDIGO 2021 GN) Monitoring phase: UPCR + eGFR + BP at each visit; MEST-C re-biopsy considered for treatment failure; budesonide adverse-effect monitoring (KDIGO 2021 GN)
Disposition
Current setting: outpatient — Primary management setting — RAS/SGLT2i optimization, IIgAN risk surveillance, budesonide/sparsentan escalation, CV/bone/fertility long-term (KDIGO 2021 GN; Barbour 2018; NefIgArd 2023) Disposition criteria: - Continue outpatient nephrology q3-6 months if stable (KDIGO 2021 GN) - Transition to transplant clinic if approaching ESRD (KDIGO 2024 CKD) Escalation triggers (move to higher acuity): - Rapidly rising UPCR + falling eGFR despite ladder → re-biopsy + specialty referral (KDIGO 2021 GN) - New gross hematuria + falling eGFR → consider crescentic-IgA → route renal.rpgn.core.v1 (KDIGO 2021 GN) - CKD progression toward ESRD → transplant evaluation → route neph.ckd.core.v1 (KDIGO 2024 CKD)
Earlier-Return Triggers
Return-precaution thresholds (watch for): - [LIFE_THREATENING] RPGN-IgA crescentic — rapid eGFR decline + RBC casts + crescents on biopsy → route renal.rpgn.core.v1 (KDIGO 2021 GN) - [SEVERE] Nephrotic-range proteinuria >3.5 g/d in IgAN — guarded prognosis (KDIGO 2021 GN) - [SEVERE] CKD progression to ESRD — ~25-30% of IgAN at 20 years; transplant evaluation (KDIGO 2024 CKD)
Citations
- KDIGO 2021 Glomerular Diseases (Kidney Int Oct 2021) + NefIgArd Lafayette Lancet 2023 (budesonide Tarpeyo FDA 2023) + PROTECT Heerspink Lancet 2023 (sparsentan Filspari FDA 2023) + STOP-IgAN Rauen NEJM 2015 (negative for immunosuppression vs supportive) + TESTING Lv JAMA 2017 (corticosteroids — infection signal) + Oxford MEST-C update Trimarchi Kidney Int 2017 + International IgA Nephropathy Risk Prediction Tool (Barbour JAMA Intern Med 2019) + KDIGO 2024 CKD + EMPA-KIDNEY/DAPA-CKD SGLT2i [PMID:34556256](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34556256/) - Cited evidence (PMID 30980653) [PMID:30980653](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30980653/) - Cited evidence (PMID 37591292) [PMID:37591292](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37591292/) - Cited evidence (PMID 37015244) [PMID:37015244](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37015244/) - Cited evidence (PMID 26630142) [PMID:26630142](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26630142/) Last reconciled with current guidelines: 2026-05-22.
- KDIGO 2021 Glomerular Diseases (Kidney Int Oct 2021) + NefIgArd Lafayette Lancet 2023 (budesonide Tarpeyo FDA 2023) + PROTECT Heerspink Lancet 2023 (sparsentan Filspari FDA 2023) + STOP-IgAN Rauen NEJM 2015 (negative for immunosuppression vs supportive) + TESTING Lv JAMA 2017 (corticosteroids — infection signal) + Oxford MEST-C update Trimarchi Kidney Int 2017 + International IgA Nephropathy Risk Prediction Tool (Barbour JAMA Intern Med 2019) + KDIGO 2024 CKD + EMPA-KIDNEY/DAPA-CKD SGLT2i — PMID:34556256
- Cited evidence (PMID 30980653) — PMID:30980653
- Cited evidence (PMID 37591292) — PMID:37591292
- Cited evidence (PMID 37015244) — PMID:37015244
- Cited evidence (PMID 26630142) — PMID:26630142