Case of rheumatoid arthritis with various histological lesions of the kidney

We experienced a case of rheumatoid arthritis with nephrotic syndrome. A renal biopsy specimen from this patient showed various renal histological changes. The patient was a 50-year-old man who was diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis in 1987. We performed a renal biopsy because he had persistent proteinuria from March in 2002. The renal biopsy specimen showed amyloid AA and P protein deposition in the glomeruli. Moreover mild mesangial proliferation was recognized. IgA-deposition in the mesangial area, and granular-deposition of IgG along the glomerular capillary wall were also observed. In electron microscopy, electron dense deposits were recognized in the mesangial area and subepithelium of the glomerular basement membrane. From these findings, we diagnosed amyloid nephropathy, IgA nephritis and membranous nephropathy. Renal biopsy of patients with RA is useful not only for precise diagnosis, but also for selection of the appropriate treatment.