Objective  To investigate the pathological features and prognosis of patients (aged 18 to 50 years)with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN).

  Methods  A total of 125 patients confirmed as IMN were enrolled in the study. The relevant data of patients were collected, and their prognosis and pathological features were analyzed.

  Results  There were 80 males and 45 females, with males accounting for a higher proportion. Age, gender, serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, 24 h urine protein indicators of patients in pathological stageⅠ showed significant differences compared with those in stages Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ (P < 0.05). The above indicators showed significant differences between patients with chronic renal tubulointerstitial lesions and those with normal renal tubulointerstitial, between patients with glomerular sclerosis and those without glomerular sclerosis, between patients with renal vessels lesion and those without (P < 0.05). The prognosis of patients treated with glucocorticoids had no significant difference in patients with glucocorticoid therapy compared with those without non-specific treatment (P>0.05).

  Conclusion  There is no significant difference in the prognosis of IMN patients with glucocorticoid therapy or non-specific therapy. Pathological stage, glomerular sclerosis, chronic tubulointerstitial lesions, and renal vascular disease are influencing factors of serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, and 24 h urine protein for IMN patients.