What lifestyle modifications and monitoring strategies are recommended

Guideline-aligned answer with reasoning, red flags and references. Clinically reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP.

Lifestyle modifications recommended for patients with IgA nephropathy include:

Encouraging regular exercise, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, and smoking cessation to reduce risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and cardiovascular disease ,,.
Dietary advice tailored to CKD severity, including managing potassium, phosphate, calorie, and salt intake, with supervision to prevent malnutrition; low-protein diets are not recommended .

Monitoring strategies for patients with IgA nephropathy (a form of CKD) include:

Regular assessment of kidney function using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR), with frequency tailored to the patient’s CKD stage, risk factors, and clinical status ,,.
Monitoring blood pressure closely, aiming for targets below 140/90 mmHg if ACR is less than 70 mg/mmol, and below 130/80 mmHg if ACR is 70 mg/mmol or more, using ACE inhibitors or ARBs as first-line treatment for hypertension with proteinuria ,.
Regular monitoring for disease progression by tracking changes in eGFR and ACR, with more frequent checks if there is accelerated decline or other risk factors ,.
Screening for and managing cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities, as patients with CKD are at increased cardiovascular risk ,,.
Providing education and information to patients and carers about CKD, its progression, treatment options, and self-management strategies to support informed decision-making ,.

What lifestyle modifications and monitoring strategies are recommended for patients diagnosed with IgA nephropathy?