A CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF IgA NEPHROPATHY AFTER TONSILLECTOMY

We studied the effects and the timing of tonsillectomy on IgA nephropathy by urinalysis, serum Cr, IgA, ASLO and renal histology. The renal histology was classified into three groups according to its progression. Tonsillectomy was carried out in 31 patients (12 males and 19 females) with IgA nephropathies diagnosed by renal biopsy. The average age at tonsillectomy was 30.4 years old. The effects of tonsillectomy were followed up from more than 1 year (average 36.9 months) after operation. An improvement in urinary findings was observed in 77% and in 22 cases (71%) the tonsillectomy was evaluated as having been effective based on urinary findings and renal function. The difference between the effective group and the ineffective group, in terms of the tonsillectomy, was significant for serum Cr but not for urinary findings, serum IgA or ASLO. The effective rate in groups I and II, based on renal histological classification, was 96%. In group III (advanced stage), no case was considered to show an effective response. We conclude that tonsillectomy in IgA nephropathies should be carried out at an early stage, while renal function is normal and before renal histology has progressed to that of group III.