OBJECTIVES: IgA nephropathy is a primary glomerulonephritis (PGN) characterized by the deposition of the IgA antibody in the glomerulus. Without effective treatments, IgA nephropathy could progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and pose heavy disease burden. This study aims at investigating the disease burden of adult patients with IgA nephropathy in China.

METHODS: The study was carried out through literature review. Relevant studies were searched from both international and domestic databases using pre-defined search strategies and then examined through inclusion and exclusion criteria.

RESULTS: A total of fifty-nine literatures were included in this study to assess the epidemiology, economic burden and quality of life of adult patients with IgA nephropathy in China. IgA nephropathy is more prevalent among patients aged 30.5~40.0 years old, and IgA nephropathy is the most common PGN, accounted for 37.8% (34.0%~52.7%). Number of total adult patients and treated patients with IgA nephropathy is estimated to be 4.6 and 0.6 million, respectively. After follow-up of 10 and 20 years, there were 17% and 36% patients with IgA nephropathy progressing to ESRD. In terms of the economic burden, cost data were converted to US dollars using the 2020 exchange rate (1 USD = 6.8974 RMB). The average annual direct medical expense for treatment-naïve patients was $1,394 ($705~$2,160), with hospital length-of-stay of 11.3 days. For patients progressed to ESRD, the annual direct medical expenses for peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis and renal transplant were $11,019, $15,803 and $28,272, respectively. Moreover, due to the fatigue and depression that caused by the symptoms, IgA nephropathy patients suffered from compromised quality of life both physically and mentally.

CONCLUSIONS: In summary, there are considerable number of IgA nephropathy adult patients, and IgA nephropathy poses heavy clinical and economic burden in China.