A clinicopathological study of C1q nephropathy: A single center experience

Author(s): Md Omar Faroque, Nourin Sultana, Abdur Rahaman, Syed Fazlul Islam, Md. Rezaul Alam, AH Hamid Ahmed, Muhammad Nazrul Islam, Rana Mokarram Hossain

Background: C1q nephropathy also known as seronegative lupus nephritis, is a relatively rare form of glomerulonephritis which is less understood till now. With the advancement of immunofluorescence and electron microscopic histopathological examination more and more new cases are being diagnosed now a days. Previously it was considered as a diseases of children and young adults but in practical point of view a large number of adult patients are affected by these diseases. The aim of this study is to review the incidence, clinical features, histolopathological morphology of C1q nephropathy in adult Bangladeshi population in BSMMU. Methods and Material: This is a retrospective study done in nephrology department of BSMMU. Out of 180 biopsy reports which were done in between 2020 to 2025, 10 reports of C1q nephropathy were retrieved. Results: This study shows the incidence of C1q Nephropathy is 5.5%, mostly females are affected (80%). Mean age at presentation was 35.5 year. Most common presentation was hematuria with sub nephrotic range proteinuria(50%), Nephrotic range proteinurea was present in 20% cases, 2 patients presentd with isolated proteinuria(20%). 1 patient (10%) presented with renal impairments. Regarding histopathological findings all patients had mesangeal proliferation, 70% patients had dominant and 30 % patients had co-dominant deposition of C1q in the mesangium. Conclusion: This study gives an idea regarding the clinicopathological findings of C1q nephropathy in Bangladeshi population.