Master Berger's Disease (IgA Nephropathy) with Picmonic for Physician Assistant

Berger’s disease is a nephritic kidney disease, also known as IgA glomerulopathy, that is characterized by the presence of IgA deposits in the mesangium of the kidneys, which can be detected via immunofluorescence microscopy and light microscopy. Berger’s disease is a common cause of recurrent gross or microscopic hematuria and is the most common cause of nephritic syndrome. IgA nephropathy can present as an isolated renal disease but similar IgA deposits are present in the systemic disorder Henoch Schonlein purpura. Henoch Schonelin purpura affects children and has many overlapping features with IgA nephropathy. This disease can affect people of any age but older children and young adults are most often affected. Common presentation of disease is gross hematuria after an upper respiratory infection or less commonly an acute gastroenteritis. While some patients present with only microscopic hematuria, a fraction develop a typical acute nephritic syndrome. The hematuria typically lasts for several days and then subsides and can reoccur. The clinical course is highly variable. Many patients maintain normal renal function for several decades but slow progression to renal failure can occur over a period of 20 years.