title: The clinical use of serum beta-2-microglobulin and fractional beta-2-microglobulin excretion in IgA nephropathy.
abstract: We measured serum beta-2-microglobulin (B2-m) and fractional beta-2-microglobulin excretion in 29 patients with IgA nephropathy. The mean serum B2-m in IgA nephropathy patients was significantly higher than that of healthy controls (p less than 0.025). The serum B2-m correlated well with serum creatinine and endogenous creatinine clearance (p less than 0.01). Patients with diffuse mesangial proliferation and glomerulosclerosis had a significantly higher level of B2-m than those with minor glomerular pathology (p less than 0.01). Patients with hypertension had significantly different levels of serum B2-m from normotensive patients (p less than 0.01). The mean fractional B2-m excretion in IgA nephropathy patients was significantly higher than that of healthy controls (p less than 0.001). Patients with moderate tubulo-interstitial involvement had significantly higher fractional B2-m excretion than those with mild tubulo-interstitial changes (p less than 0.01). Our study suggests that serum B2-m and fractional B2-m excretion may be useful indicators in the long-term prognosis of patients with IgA nephropathy.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006977:Hypertension, Renal / Q000097:blood; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin