Question: What is (are) C3 glomerulopathy ?
Answer: C3 glomerulopathy is a group of related conditions that cause the kidneys to malfunction. The major features of C3 glomerulopathy include high levels of protein in the urine (proteinuria), blood in the urine (hematuria), reduced amounts of urine, low levels of protein in the blood, and swelling in many areas of the body. Affected individuals may have particularly low levels of a protein called complement component 3 (or C3) in the blood. The kidney problems associated with C3 glomerulopathy tend to worsen over time. About half of affected individuals develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD) within 10 years after their diagnosis. ESRD is a life-threatening condition that prevents the kidneys from filtering fluids and waste products from the body effectively. Researchers have identified two major forms of C3 glomerulopathy: dense deposit disease and C3 glomerulonephritis. Although the two disorders cause similar kidney problems, the features of dense deposit disease tend to appear earlier than those of C3 glomerulonephritis, usually in adolescence. However, the signs and symptoms of either disease may not begin until adulthood. One of the two forms of C3 glomerulopathy, dense deposit disease, can also be associated with other conditions unrelated to kidney function. For example, people with dense deposit disease may have acquired partial lipodystrophy, a condition characterized by a lack of fatty (adipose) tissue under the skin in the upper part of the body. Additionally, some people with dense deposit disease develop a buildup of yellowish deposits called drusen in the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (the retina). These deposits usually appear in childhood or adolescence and can cause vision problems later in life.
Source: GHR

Question: How many people are affected by C3 glomerulopathy ?
Answer: C3 glomerulopathy is very rare, affecting 1 to 2 per million people worldwide. It is equally common in men and women.
Source: GHR

Question: Is C3 glomerulopathy inherited ?
Answer: Most cases of C3 glomerulopathy are sporadic, which means they occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family. Only a few reported families have had more than one family member with C3 glomerulopathy. However, many affected people have had close relatives with autoimmune diseases, which occur when the immune system malfunctions and attacks the body's tissues and organs. The connection between C3 glomerulopathy and autoimmune diseases is not fully understood.
Source: GHR

Question: What are the treatments for C3 glomerulopathy ?
Answer: These resources address the diagnosis or management of C3 glomerulopathy: - Gene Review: Gene Review: Dense Deposit Disease / Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis Type II - Genetic Testing Registry: C3 Glomerulonephritis - Genetic Testing Registry: CFHR5 deficiency - Genetic Testing Registry: CFHR5-Related Dense Deposit Disease / Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis Type II - Genetic Testing Registry: Factor H deficiency - Genetic Testing Registry: Mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis, type II - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Kidney Failure: Choosing a Treatment That's Right for You These resources from MedlinePlus offer information about the diagnosis and management of various health conditions: - Diagnostic Tests - Drug Therapy - Surgery and Rehabilitation - Genetic Counseling - Palliative Care
Source: GHR