title: Global evolutionary trend of the prevalence of primary glomerulonephritis over the past three decades.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of primary glomerulonephritis in Singapore is compared with that of 28 other countries to review changing trends in the evolution of primary glomerulonephritis in Asia and other countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  2,586 renal biopsies in Singapore over the past 3 decades were reviewed and compared with data from 28 other countries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the 1st decade most Asian countries have mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis as the most common form of primary glomerulonephritis, and in the 3rd decade there has been a dramatic increase in focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis reflecting aging and obesity in keeping with more developed countries. IgA nephritis remains the commonest glomerulonephritis in many countries. Membranous glomerulonephritis continues to be more prevalent in Western countries while mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis remains prevalent in many Asian countries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Apart from geographical and genetic influences, socioeconomic factors may play a role in the evolution of the biopsy pattern in some countries. Worldwide, the prevalence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis continues to increase. In third world countries some of the commoner forms of glomerulonephritis are related to infections, in contrast to developed countries where the antigenic exposure may be related to diet, allergens and other industrial agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Renal Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. woo.keng.thye@sgh.com.sg
authors.forename: Keng-Thye
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Choong-Meng
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Yoke Mooi
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Hui-Lin
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Choong
authors.forename: Han-Kim
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Marjorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Foo
authors.forename: Vathsala
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Anantharaman
authors.forename: Grace S L
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Gilbert S C
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Puay Hoon
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Cheng Hong
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Chorh Chuan
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Evan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hwee Boon
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fook-Chong
authors.forename: Yeow-Kok
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Kok-Seng
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014943:Global Health; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology