Comparison of low vs normal serum complements on laboratory and histopathology
| Low serum C3 (<70 mg/dL) n=20 | Normal serum C3 (≥70 mg/dL) n=10 | P value | Low serum C4 (<14 mg/dL) n=20 | Normal serum C4 (≥14 mg/dL) n=10 | P value | |
| Laboratory parameters | ||||||
| eGFR, mL/min/1.73 m2 | 108.6 (64.4–123.5) | 129.1 (111.0–139.6) | 0.08 | 109.8 (64.4–125.0) | 127.0 (96.0–129.6) | 0.16 |
| Urine protein, g/24 hours | 3.2 (1.6–5.7) | 2.7 (1.7–3.1) | 0.62 | 2.8 (1.4–5.3) | 3.9 (2.2–5.7) | 0.47 |
| Histopathological parameters | ||||||
| Pure/mixed proliferative LN class (3, 4, 3+5, 4+5), n (%) | 18 (90%) | 5 (50%) | 0.03 | 19 (95%) | 4 (40%) | 0.002 |
| Moderate NIH Activity Index*, n (%) | 10 (50%) | 2 (20%) | 0.24 | 11 (55%) | 1 (10%) | 0.02 |
| Moderate IFTA†, n (%) | 2 (10%) | 1 (10%) | >0.99 | 2 (10%) | 1 (10%) | 0.61 |
| Moderate NIH Chronicity Index‡, n (%) | 4 (20%) | 1 (10%) | 0.64 | 4 (20%) | 1 (10%) | 0.64 |
| >10% glomeruli with sclerosis, n (%) | 5 (25%) | 5 (50%) | 0.23 | 4 (20%) | 6 (60%) | 0.05 |
All continuous variable presented as medium (IQR).
*Score 6–14.
†25%–50% of total tubules with fibrosis and/or atrophy.
‡Score 4–7.
eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; IFTA, interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy.