Primary glomerulonephritis in mainland China: an overview

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has received increased attention as a global health problem because of its increasing incidence and prevalence, poor outcome and high associated costs. Primary glomerulonephritis (GN) is the leading cause of CKD and end-stage renal disease in China. Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common type of primary GN and accounts for 40-50% of the adult patients undergoing renal biopsy. Interestingly, the reported prevalence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in China varies by geographical region, and the prevalence of membranous nephropathy is increasing. Familial FSGS and IgAN are common in China, suggesting that genetic factors are involved in their pathogenesis. The evidence to guide the treatment of these glomerular diseases is limited. Most Chinese nephrologists follow the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines during their practice. Here, we review the current prevalence, etiology, clinicopathological features and treatment of primary GN in China.