IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) Epidemiology

Key Highlights

• In the 7MM, the diagnosed prevalent cases of IgAN were estimated at approximately 415 thousand in 2024, and this number is expected to rise throughout the forecast period (2025 to 2034).
• In 2024, the US accounted for roughly 32% of all diagnosed prevalent cases of IgAN within the 7MM. Looking ahead, the number of cases in the US is expected to grow steadily, with projections indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.09% between 2025–2034. This trend reflects a gradual but consistent increase in disease burden over the forecast period.
• According to DelveInsight’s 2024 epidemiological estimates, the 18–45 age group in EU4 and the UK bore the highest burden of IgAN, with approximately 43 thousand diagnosed cases. Conversely, the under 18 experienced the lowest prevalence, with just 8 thousand cases, highlighting the disease’s concentration in young adults.
• Japan presents a distinct pattern in gender-specific diagnosed IgAN cases, with a higher prevalence among females than males. In 2024, female cases approached 103 thousand significantly surpassing the roughly 72 thousand cases reported in males. This reversal of the typical male-dominant trend seen in other regions underscores a unique gender distribution of IgAN in the Japanese population.
• Early and accurate diagnosis of IgAN remains an unmet need, as current methods rely heavily on invasive kidney biopsies. Non-invasive, specific biomarkers are lacking, delaying timely detection and risk stratification, which hampers early intervention and personalized care strategies.

 

DelveInsight’s “IgAN – Epidemiology Forecast – 2034” report delivers an in-depth understanding of IgAN, historical and forecasted epidemiology of IgAN in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan.

Geography Covered

• The United States
• EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom
• Japan

Study Period: 2021-2034

IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) Understanding 

IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) Overview

IgAN is an autoimmune condition marked by the abnormal build-up of immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies in the kidneys, which incites inflammation and gradually damages renal structures. These antibody clusters lodge in the glomeruli—the microscopic vessels that filter blood—compromising their function and allowing blood and protein to leak into the urine. As the disease advances, it leads to scarring of the nephrons, the kidneys' functional units, ultimately impairing their ability to filter waste effectively. While the exact cause remains unknown, evidence suggests a multifactorial origin involving both genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers. Respiratory infections, such as colds or sore throats, often precede disease onset by provoking an overactive immune response and excessive IgA production. This results in immune complex deposition in the glomeruli, setting off chronic inflammation and fibrosis. A personal or family history of IgAN or related autoimmune conditions like Henoch–Schönlein purpura—a systemic small-vessel vasculitis—may increase risk.

 

IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) Diagnosis

IgAN is often suspected when a patient experiences episodes of dark or visibly bloody urine, particularly after a respiratory tract infection such as a cold or sore throat. These episodes may be the earliest sign of the disease, as IgAN often progresses silently without obvious symptoms. Although clinical suspicion can be high based on the patient's history, physical examination, urinalysis, and blood tests, a definitive diagnosis requires a kidney biopsy. This procedure involves using a fine needle to extract a small sample of kidney tissue, which is then examined under a microscope for the characteristic deposits of IgA in the glomeruli.

 

Regular monitoring is essential for managing IgAN and tracking disease progression. Patients with mild disease—defined by normal blood pressure and minimal proteinuria—typically undergo follow-up blood and urine tests every 6 to 12 months. In contrast, individuals with more severe disease features, such as high protein levels in the urine or declining kidney function, require more frequent monitoring. Physical examination may reveal few findings in early stages, but elevated blood pressure or body swelling may appear as the disease advances. Key diagnostic tests include urinalysis to detect blood and protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine to assess kidney function, and kidney biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Since many patients remain asymptomatic until routine screening or noticeable hematuria occurs, early detection and consistent follow-up are vital, especially in those with known risk factors. 

Further details related to diagnosis are provided in the report…

IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) Epidemiology

For the purpose of designing the patient-based model for IgAN, the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by total diagnosed prevalent cases of IgAN, gender-specific diagnosed prevalent cases of IgAN, age-specific diagnosed prevalent cases of IgAN in the 7MM covering the United States, EU4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan, from 2021 to 2034. 

• According to estimates by DelveInsight analysts, there were approximately 415 thousand diagnosed prevalent cases of IgAN across the 7MM in 2024.
• In 2024, approximately 32% of diagnosed IgAN cases across the 7MM were reported in the US, amounting to nearly 133 thousand individuals. According to DelveInsight, this number is expected to increase by 2034, indicating a rising disease burden.
• IgAN shows a higher prevalence among males than females. In 2024, across EU4 and the UK, the male patient population approached nearly 70 thousand, more than double the approximately 34 thousand female cases, highlighting a notable gender disparity in disease occurrence. 
• In 2024, Germany emerged as the leading contributor to gender-specific diagnosed prevalent cases of IgAN across EU4 and the UK. It accounted for nearly 20 thousand male cases—representing 28% of all male cases in the region—and 9 thousand female cases, which constituted a striking 28% of the total female patient pool. This underscores Germany’s significant share, particularly in the female IgAN population.
• In Japan, age-specific IgAN cases in 2024 were distributed across four age brackets: under 18, 18–45, 46–65, and 65 years and older. The highest burden was observed in the 18–45 age group, accounting for approximately 72 thousand cases, reflecting the disease's notable impact on younger adults. In contrast, under 18 experienced the lowest prevalence, with around 14 thousand cases, highlighting a relatively lower prevalence among children.
• In 2024, females accounted for 59% of diagnosed IgAN cases in Japan, while males represented the remaining 41%. This gender split highlights a notable female predominance in the country’s IgAN burden, diverging from trends seen in other major region

KOL Views

To gaze into the epidemiology insights of the real world, we take KOLs and SMEs’ opinions working in the domain through primary research to fill the data gaps and validate our secondary research on disease prevalence. 

 

DelveInsight’s analysts connected with 20+ KOLs to gather insights; however, interviews were conducted with 10+ KOLs in the 7MM. Centers such as the Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, US; Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research, Aachen, Germany; Service de néphrologie, Hôpital Nord CHU Saint Etienne, France; University of Bari, Italy; Hospital Universitario de Octubre, Madrid, Spain; Cambridge University Hospital NHS Trust, UK; Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan and others were contacted. Their opinion helps understand and validate current disease prevalence, gender involved with the disease, diagnosis rate, and diagnostic criteria.

Scope of the Report

• The report covers a segment of executive summary, descriptive overview of IgAN, explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, and currently available diagnostic algorithms and guidelines.
• Comprehensive insight has been provided into the epidemiology segments and forecasts, the future growth potential of diagnosis rate, disease progression, and diagnosis guidelines.
• The report provides an edge for understanding trends, expert insights/KOL views, and patient journeys in the 7MM.
• A detailed review of current challenges in establishing the diagnosis.

IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) Report Insights

• Patient Population
• Country-wise Epidemiology Distribution
• Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of IgAN
• Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of IgAN
• Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of IgAN

IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) Report Key Strengths

• 10 years Forecast
• The 7MM Coverage 
• IgAN Epidemiology Segmentation 

IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) Report Assessment

• Current Diagnostic Practices 
• Patient Segmentation

Epidemiology Insights

• What are the disease risk, burdens, and unmet needs of IgAN? What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM concerning the patient population of IgAN?
• What is the historical and forecasted IgAN patient pool in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan?
• Why is the diagnosed prevalent cases of IgAN in Japan lower than the US?
• Which country has a high patient share for IgAN?

Reasons to Buy

• Insights on patient burden/disease, evolution in diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
• To understand the IgAN prevalence cases in varying geographies over the coming years.
• A detailed overview of gender and age-specific diagnosed prevalent cases of IgAN.
• To understand the perspective of key opinion leaders around the current challenges with establishing the diagnosis options.
• Detailed insights on various factors hampering disease diagnosis and other existing diagnostic challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the forecast period covered in the report?

The IgAN Epidemiology report for the 7MM covers the forecast period from 2025 to 2034, providing a projection of epidemiology dynamics and trends during this timeframe.

 

2. Out of all EU4 countries and the UK, which country had the highest population of IgAN cases in 2023?

The highest cases of IgAN were found in the Germany between EU4 and the UK in 2024.

 

3. How is epidemiological data collected and analyzed for forecasting purposes?

Epidemiological data is collected through surveys, clinical studies, health records, and other sources. It is then analyzed to calculate disease rates, identify trends, and project future disease burdens using mathematical models.

 

4. Out of all 7MM countries, which country had the highest population of IgAN cases in 2024?

The highest cases of IgAN were found in the Japan among the 7MM in 2024.