Complement 3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is a rare kidney disease related to abnormal functioning of the complement system. The complement system is part of the immune system and is made up of dozens of proteins that circulate in the body and help activate different immune responses.
C3G involves the abnormal activation of the complement system. This causes the breakdown of a complement system protein called complement component 3 (C3). This creates C3 fragments that clump together with other proteins and become stuck in the delicate filtering units of the kidneys. These deposits lead to inflammation and damage to the kidneys, and over time a loss of kidney function.
Treatment for C3G
There is no cure for C3G, and treatment focuses on reducing symptoms and preventing disease progression. Treatment will depend on the severity of the disease, and a treatment plan can include:
- Medications that reduce and control high blood pressure.
- Medications called complement inhibitors, which reduce activity in the complement system.
- Corticosteroids or other medications that suppress the immune system. However, long-term use of these therapies is not recommended due to the risk of side effects and the availability of newer medications.
- Lifestyle modifications, including a low-sodium diet, avoiding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and adopting habits that promote heart health. These changes are best made under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
The need for multidisciplinary care
People with C3G often benefit from working with a multidisciplinary team. This means working with multiple healthcare providers who have different specialties and focus on different aspects of care.
Treatment for C3G will likely be overseen by a nephrologist, a medical doctor that specializes in the treatment of kidney diseases. People with C3G should also work with a primary care provider for routine healthcare, minor illnesses and injuries, and to address health concerns that may or may not be related to C3G. A person may also need to work with additional specialists to treat co-occurring conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, chronic pulmonary disease, and overweight/obesity, which are common among people with C3G.
Pharmacists also play an important role in treatment. For example, providing guidance around taking multiple medications accurately and safely.
It's important that the different members of your healthcare team are in communication with one another. This is called care coordination, and it can be a challenge of treating conditions like C3G.
Three strategies for care coordination
Sometimes healthcare providers will be a part of the same office or medical center and will be able to share information more easily. Oftentimes, healthcare providers work at separate locations, which means coordinating care will require a little more effort and organization.
Below are a few strategies that can help.
Talk to your healthcare providers
A good place to start is by talking to your healthcare providers about what you are looking for in terms of care coordination. Start by explaining that you are working with several healthcare providers and that you want your healthcare providers to be able to communicate about the different aspects of your healthcare.
- Ask if this is something that they can help with.
- Ask what kind of information they will need from you, and what information you might want to have ready for other healthcare providers.
- Ask if they have any guidance or advice based on their experiences.
Designate one healthcare provider as a point person
Consider designating one healthcare provider as your "point person." This may be your nephrologist or your primary care provider. This provider should maintain an overview of all aspects of care for C3G, including diagnosis information, contact details for other providers, and treatment information.
Maintain a personal health record
Maintaining an organized personal health record can help ensure all providers have access to necessary information. This file should contain:
- Test results including the results of blood tests and biopsies
- Evaluations and workups from your nephrologist as well as other specialists you’ve worked with
- Treatment records, including medications you’ve been prescribed and medical procedures
- Contact information for all of your healthcare providers
- Insurance information
- Copies of bills, receipts, explanation of benefits documents, and other information related to the financial aspects of treatment
Include your own notes from appointments, including questions you’ve asked and information provided by your different healthcare providers.
Keeping this information organized can save time when communicating with an insurance provider or when you see a new specialist who needs information on previous tests and treatments.
Sources: Gashu Ayehu, Mohammad Atari, et al. C3 G... + 9
- Gashu Ayehu, Mohammad Atari, et al. C3 Glomerulopathy. StatPearls. November 5, 2024.
- National Kidney Foundation. Complement 3 Glomerulopathy (C3G).
- Cleveland Clinic. Complement System.
- National Organization for Rare Disorders. C3 Glomerulopathy: Dense Deposit Disease and C3 Glomerulonephritis.
- Cleveland Clinic. Complement 3 Glomerulopathy (C3G).
- Mayo Clinic. IgA nephropathy (Berger disease).
- Briana C. Ndife, Carolina A. Aldworth, et al. Characteristics of Patients with Complement 3 Glomerulopathy (C3G) in a US Multi-Center Assessment. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2023. Vol. 34, No. 11S.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Care Coordination.
- Dianne Savastano. Three Suggestions for Improving the Coordination of Care Between Specialists. Healthassist. March 2018.
- Dhruv Sarwal and Vikas Gupta. Personal Health Record. StatPearls. September 10, 2024.
