UC Davis Health
Department of Internal Medicine
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glomerular-disease

Glomerular Disease Care Program

At UC Davis Health, patients are at the center of everything we do. The mission of the Glomerular Disease Care Program starts with putting patients first by:

  • Addressing healthcare disparities and providing equitable access to care for patients with rare kidney diseases.
  • Improving patient outcomes through timely, collaborative, patient-centered multidisciplinary care.
  • Enhancing glomerular disease awareness among the community, patients, and their families.
  • Training and educating our future nephrologists and healthcare workforce in specialized glomerular disease management.
  • Bridging patient access to innovative therapeutics, including novel clinical trials and precision medicine approaches.
  • Creating a better understanding of the onset, progression, and outcomes in glomerular diseases through collaborative research.

The Glomerular Disease Care Program provides comprehensive, outstanding care to patients with glomerular diseases, embracing evidence-based care, patient education and participation, and opportunities to explore novel therapies to improve outcomes. Our multidisciplinary team utilizes expertise in nephrology, nephropathology, and rheumatology to individualize diagnosis and patient care. The patient and their family are at the center of the process, and it is essential to provide clear education so that dietary, exercise, and medical approaches to therapy can be understood and followed effectively.

What Makes Us Different

Comprehensive Diagnostic Services

  • On-site kidney biopsy services with expert nephropathology interpretation
  • Advanced laboratory testing for expedited diagnostic workup
  • Genetic testing for inherited forms of glomerular disease
  • Access to cutting-edge biomarker research

Multidisciplinary Team Care

  • Specialized nephrologists with expertise in the management of glomerular diseases
  • On-site nephropathologists for accurate diagnosis
  • Clinical pharmacists for management and patient education on specialized medications used for these kidney diseases
  • Dietitians with expertise in nutritional counseling for patients with kidney diseases
  • Dedicated nurse coordinators for patient navigation
  • Collaboration with rheumatology, maternal-fetal medicine, and other specialists

Individualized Treatment Plans

  • Personalized therapy plans based on disease type, severity, and patient factors
  • Shared decision-making approach with patients and families
  • Regular monitoring and treatment adjustment
  • Access to the newest approved therapies and treatments under investigation via participation in clinical trials

Research and Innovation

  • Participation in national and global glomerular disease registries
  • Access to cutting-edge clinical trials

What are Glomerular Diseases? 

Glomerular diseases affect the small filters in your kidneys called glomeruli. These tiny structures filter waste and excess fluid from your blood. When damaged or inflamed, they cannot work properly, which can lead to:

  • Protein leaking into the urine (proteinuria)
  • Blood in the urine (hematuria)
  • Swelling in legs, ankles, or around the eyes
  • High blood pressure
  • Decreased kidney function
  • Potential kidney failure if untreated

Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to preserve kidney function and prevent progression.

Common Types of Glomerular Disease We Treat

Kidney inflammation caused by lupus (SLE), an autoimmune disease. About 40-60% of people with lupus develop kidney involvement, requiring expert involvement of a nephrologist in treatment planning.

One of the most common glomerular diseases worldwide, where IgA deposits build up in the kidney filters, causing inflammation.

Causes thickening of kidney filters due to immune deposits. A leading cause of protein loss in the urine in adults.

Scarring in parts of the kidney filters. It can be caused by an autoimmune condition, genetics, or other underlying factors; treatment depends on the underlying trigger.

Most common cause of protein loss in children; however, it also affects adults. Usually responds well to treatment but also requires a thorough evaluation to identify the underlying cause of the disease's manifestation.

A rare disease caused by problems with overactivation of the immune system's complement pathway; this can be due to an underlying genetic cause, autoimmunity or other triggers.

Inflammation of blood vessels affecting the kidneys, requiring urgent treatment with immunosuppressive medications, plus other therapeutic measures as needed.

How We Diagnose

Your nephrologist will use:

  • Medical history and physical exam
  • Urine tests to check for protein and blood
  • Blood tests to check kidney function and look for antibodies and other markers associated with these inflammatory kidney diseases
  • Kidney biopsy (often the gold standard) – performed on-site with expert analysis of the sample to determine the diagnosis accurately and timely
  • Imaging such as ultrasound
  • Genetic testing when needed

How We Treat

Treatment is personalized based on the patient’s specific condition and may include:

Medications:

  • Immunosuppressive drugs to control inflammation
  • Blood pressure medications (ACE inhibitors, ARBs)
  • Medications to reduce protein loss
  • Treatments for complications

Lifestyle Support:

  • Kidney-friendly, low inflammation-inducing, diet counseling
  • Blood pressure management
  • Smoking cessation
  • Regular exercise within your tolerance

Close Monitoring:

  • Regular clinic visits with the expert providers
  • Periodic laboratory tests (mostly blood and urine samples)
  • Treatment adjustments as needed based on the laboratory results

Beyond Medical Treatment

We address the patient's whole health, not just the kidneys:

  • Cardiovascular health (heart disease prevention)
  • Bone health
  • Mental health support for anxiety and depression
  • Fertility and pregnancy planning and support
  • Managing fatigue and quality of life

Patient Resources