title: Association of liver cirrhosis related IgA nephropathy with portal hypertension.
abstract: A high incidence of IgA nephropathy has been reported in patients with liver cirrhosis, though, clinically evident nephrotic syndrome is very uncommon. Impaired hepatic clearance of circulating IgA immune complexes and subsequent deposition in renal glomeruli has been considered principally in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis associated IgA nephropathy. Here we report on a patient with cryptogenic liver cirrhosis and splenic vein thrombosis, who presented with nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsy showed findings consistent with IgA nephropathy. Lower endoscopy showed features of portal hypertensive colopathy. Following initiation of propranolol and anticoagulant treatment to reduce portal pressure, a gradual decrease of proteinuria and hematuria to normal range was noted. The potential pathogenetic role of portal hypertension in the development of IgA nephropathy in cirrhotic patients is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Medical School of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kalambokis
authors.forename: Leonidas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Christou
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stefanou
authors.forename: Evdokia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arkoumani
authors.forename: Epameinondas V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Tsianos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D007668:Kidney; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D013162:Splenic Vein / Q000473:pathology; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis