LO-PAIgN_v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
LO-PAIgN: Mediators of Loin Pain in IgA Nephropathy
IRAS ID
364280
Contact name
Ishika Khan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 5 months, 0 days
Research summary
IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common form of primary glomerular disease (disease of the glomeruli, the filtration units of the kidney) worldwide. Recently, in a UK-wide survey conducted by our lab, we observed a lesser-known symptom of the disease called loin pain or pain around the kidneys. According to this survey, 71% of respondents experienced loin pain.
The mechanisms by which this pain happens are not known, however, some small-scale studies and case reports in IgAN and other glomerular diseases implicate red blood cell leakage from the glomeruli that may obstruct the tiny tubules in the kidney, causing back leak of the waste fluid (filtrate), increase in kidney volume/size, and inflammation (influx of immune cells) and pain.
Immune cell proteins are also implicated, as they invite immune cells that can cause collateral injury, and can also make nerves directly feel pain.
Since IgAN kidneys show a lot of inflammation, another thing we aim to look at is peripheral sensitisation. Peripheral sensitisation refers to the hyperactivity of pain nerves because of repeated stimulation by immune cell products and other molecules.Hence, we hypothesise that loin pain may be due to: 1) Kidney structure changes (MRI evaluation, checking the cells in urine); 2) Inflammation & Injury (measuring immune cell proteins); and 3) Peripheral Sensitisation (measuring immune cell proteins & other relevant molecules). We will be comparing 2 cohorts of IgAN patients: A) Experience loin pain episodes; B) No history of loin pain. We will also do a within-group comparison for cohort A: 1) During an active pain episode, and 2) When the pain subsides.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0332
Date of REC Opinion
22 May 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion