Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients diagnosed with IgAN between 2018 and 2019. Patients were categorized based on outpatient visit continuity into two groups: regular follow-up and follow-up interruption (defined as three months beyond appointment day without nephrology visit). We compared variables such as age, sex, medication status, serum creatinine, proteinuria, certification for intractable disease, steroid therapy, and tonsillectomy. Results: Among 87 patients, 11 (12. 6%) experienced follow-up interruption. Compared to those with regular follow-up, the interruption group tended be younger and to had lower serum creatinine levels. The proportion of patients with certification for intractable disease was significantly higher in the regular follow-up group. Furthermore, in the interruption group, many cases involved no prescribed medication. There were no significant differences in sex, steroid therapy, or tonsillectomy between the group. Conclusion: This study identified characteristics of patients with IgAN who voluntarily discontinued follow-up. The discontinuation among younger patients may be due to busy schedule difficulties in maintaining regular visits. In addition, patients with lower serum creatinine levels or those without prescribed medication may have a diminished awareness of importance of regular follow-up. Furthermore, patient with certification for intractable disease were less likely to discontinue care, possibly due to improved disease awareness and reduced financial burden associated with the certification. Discontinuation of outpatient follow-up in IgAN was more frequent among younger, better renal function and without certification for intractable disease. Education emphasizing the importance of regular follow-up is particularly needed for these patients. I have no potential conflict of interest to disclose. I did not use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process.
Sanders et al. (Wed,) studied this question.