CohortFinder: an open-source tool for data-driven partitioning of digital pathology and imaging cohorts to yield robust machine-learning models.

Batch effects (BEs) refer to systematic technical differences in data collection unrelated to biological variations whose noise is shown to negatively impact machine learning (ML) model generalizability. Here we release CohortFinder (http://cohortfinder.com), an open-source tool aimed at mitigating BEs via data-driven cohort partitioning. We demonstrate CohortFinder improves ML model performance in downstream digital pathology and medical image processing tasks. CohortFinder is freely available for download at cohortfinder.com.

Clinical Relevance of Computationally Derived Tubular Features: Spatial Relationships and the Development of Tubulointerstitial Scarring in MCD/FSGS.

Background: Visual scoring of tubular damage has limitations in capturing the full spectrum of structural changes and prognostic potential. We investigate if computationally quantified tubular features can enhance prognostication and reveal spatial relationships with interstitial fibrosis. Methods: Deep-learning and image-processing-based segmentations were employed in N=254/266 PAS-WSIs from the NEPTUNE/CureGN datasets (135/153 focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and 119/113 minimal change disease) for: cortex, tubular lumen (TL), epithelium (TE), nuclei (TN), and basement membrane (TBM). N=104 pathomic features were extracted from these segmented tubular substructures and summarized at the patient level using summary statistics. The tubular features were quantified across the biopsy and in manually segmented regions of mature interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA), pre-IFTA and non-IFTA in the NEPTUNE dataset. Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance was used in the NEPTUNE dataset to select features most associated with disease progression and proteinuria remission. Ridge-penalized Cox models evaluated their predictive discrimination compared to clinical/demographic data and visual-assessment. Models were evaluated in the CureGN dataset. Results: N=9 features were predictive of disease progression and/or proteinuria remission. Models with tubular features had high prognostic accuracy in both NEPTUNE and CureGN datasets and increased prognostic accuracy for both outcomes (5.6%-7.7% and 1.6%-4.6% increase for disease progression and proteinuria remission, respectively) compared to conventional parameters alone in the NEPTUNE dataset. TBM thickness/area and TE simplification progressively increased from non- to pre- and mature IFTA. Conclusions: Previously under-recognized, quantifiable, and clinically relevant tubular features in the kidney parenchyma can enhance understanding of mechanisms of disease progression and risk stratification.

A case of non-traumatic rectus sheath hematoma in a post-kidney transplant patient undergoing catheter embolization during anticoagulation treatment for atrial fibrillation.

A 65-year-old man, a post living donor kidney transplant patient, was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a severe bacterial infection. He also tested positive for coronavirus disease and had a cough. On admission, heparin was administered for atrial fibrillation. On the third day of hospitalization, his general condition had recovered, and he was discharged from the ICU to the general ward. On the fourth day of hospitalization, he experienced abdominal pain, and a hard mass was palpated in the left lower abdomen. On the fifth day of hospitalization, contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed an extensive rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) extending from the left lower abdominal wall to the left side of the bladder, with extravasation from a small branch of the left inferior epigastric artery. Heparin was discontinued, and transcatheter arterial embolization was performed to control the bleeding. RSH is a rare disease, and cases of extensive hematoma in post-kidney transplant patients occur even less frequently. Patients taking anticoagulants and those with chronic kidney disease are at high risk for RSH, so physicians should be cognizant of this disease when these patients develop abdominal pain.

Rationale and design of the Japanese Biomarkers in Nephrotic Syndrome (J-MARINE) study.

INTRODUCTION: Disease subtyping and monitoring are essential for the management of nephrotic syndrome (NS). Although various biomarkers for NS have been reported, their clinical efficacy has not been comprehensively validated in adult Japanese patients. METHODS: The Japanese Biomarkers in Nephrotic Syndrome (J-MARINE) study is a nationwide, multicenter, and prospective cohort study in Japan, enrolling adult (≥18 years) patients with minimal change disease (MCD), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), membranous nephropathy (MN), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), and lupus nephritis (LN). Baseline clinical information and plasma and urine samples will be collected at the time of immunosuppressive therapy initiation or biopsy. Follow-up data and plasma and urine samples will be collected longitudinally based on the designated protocols. Candidate biomarkers will be measured: CD80, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4, and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor for MCD and FSGS; anti-phospholipase A2 receptor and thrombospondin type-1 domain-containing protein 7A antibodies for MN; fragment Ba, C3a, factor I, and properdin for MPGN/C3G; and CD11b, CD16b, and CD163 for LN. Outcomes include complete and partial remission, relapse of proteinuria, a 30% reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), eGFR decline, and initiation of renal replacement therapy. The diagnostic accuracy and predictive ability for clinical outcomes will be assessed for each biomarker. RESULTS: From April 2019 to April 2023, 365 patients were enrolled: 145, 21, 138, 10, and 51 cases of MCD, FSGS, MN, MPGN/C3G, and LN, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study will provide valuable insights into biomarkers for NS and serve as a biorepository for future studies.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis histologic variants and renal outcomes based on nephrotic syndrome, immunosuppression and proteinuria remission.

BACKGROUND: The associations of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) histological variants with renal outcomes have rarely been investigated comprehensively by clinically relevant subgroups in this modern age. METHODS: Data on 304 (173 nephrotic and 131 non-nephrotic) patients with biopsy-confirmed FSGS from 2010 to 2013 were analyzed using the Japanese nationwide renal biopsy registry. The primary outcome was a composite of a 30% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate or progression to end-stage kidney disease 5 years from the biopsy. We compared outcomes of FSGS variants according to the Columbia classification using survival analyses. Subgroup analyses were performed based on nephrotic syndrome (NS), immunosuppression and proteinuria remission (PR; proteinuria <0.3 g/day) during follow-up. Additionally, associations of NS, immunosuppression and PR with outcomes were examined for each variant. RESULTS: The distribution of variants was 48% (n = 145) FSGS not otherwise specified, 19% (n = 57) tip, 15% (n = 47) perihilar, 13% (n = 40) cellular and 5% (n = 15) collapsing. The outcome event occurred in 87 patients (29%). No significant differences in the outcome were found among the variants. Subgroup analyses yielded similar results. However, there was a trend toward improved outcome in patients with PR irrespective of variants [hazard ratio adjusted for histological variant and potential confounders (adjusted HR) 0.19 (95% confidence interval 0.10-0.34)]. NS was marginally associated with better outcome compared with non-NS [adjusted HR 0.50 (95% confidence interval 0.25-1.01)]. CONCLUSIONS: FSGS variants alone might not have significant impacts on the renal outcome after 5 years, while PR could be predictive of improved renal prognosis for any variant. Specific strategies and interventions to achieve PR for each variant should be implemented for better renal outcomes.

Clinical manifestations of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in Japan from the Japan Renal Biopsy Registry: age stratification and comparison with minimal change disease.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a serious condition leading to kidney failure. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of FSGS and its differences compared with minimal change disease (MCD) using cross-sectional data from the Japan Renal Biopsy Registry. In Analysis 1, primary FSGS (n = 996) were stratified by age into three groups: pediatric (< 18 years), adult (18-64 years), and elderly (≥ 65 years), and clinical characteristics were compared. Clinical diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome (NS) was given to 73.5% (97/132) of the pediatric, 41.2% (256/622) of the adult, and 65.7% (159/242) of the elderly group. In Analysis 2, primary FSGS (n = 306) and MCD (n = 1303) whose clinical diagnosis was nephrotic syndrome (NS) and laboratory data were consistent with NS, were enrolled. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to elucidate the variables which can distinguish FSGS from MCD. On multivariable analysis, higher systolic blood pressure, higher serum albumin, lower eGFR, and presence of hematuria associated with FSGS. In Japanese nationwide registry, primary FSGS patients aged 18-64 years showed lower rate of NS than those in other ages. Among primary nephrotic cases, FSGS showed distinct clinical features from MCD.

Nephrotic syndrome with focal segmental glomerular lesions unclassified by Columbia classification; Pathology and clinical implication.

BACKGROUND: The Columbia classification is widely used for diagnosis of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). In practice, we occasionally encounter segmental glomerular lesions unclassified as Columbia classification. We analyzed the clinical implication of unclassified segmental lesions comparing with Columbia-classified FSGS. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study from 13 local hospitals in Japan. From 172 biopsy cases diagnosed with FSGS or minimal change disease (MCD)/FSGS spectrum with unclassified segmental lesions, adult patients with nephrotic syndrome who received immunosuppressive therapies were included. The cases are classified by pathology, i.e., typical FSGS lesions sufficiently classified into subgroups of Columbia classification: collapsing (COL), tip (TIP), cellular (CEL), perihilar (PH), and not otherwise specified (NOS), and unclassified by the Columbia classification into three subgroups: "endothelial damage,"; "simple attachment,"; and "minor cellular lesion,". The response to immunosuppressive treatment and 30% decline of eGFR were compared. RESULTS: Among 48 eligible cases, all were Japanese, 34 were typical FSGS; 13 TIP, 15 CEL, 6 NOS, and no COL or PH cases. Fourteen were unclassified cases: endothelial damage (n = 6), simple attachment (n = 5), and minor cellular lesion (n = 3). The median age of overall patients was 60 years old and the median of eGFR and urinary protein creatinine ratio was 51.5 mL/min/1.73m2 and 7.35, respectively. They received similar therapeutic regimen. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no significant difference in treatment response between typical FSGS and unclassified cases. Evaluating among the subgroups, endothelial damage, simple attachment and minor cellular lesion showed similar treatment response to TIP or CEL. No significant difference was also observed in the 30% decline of eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: Japanese adult patients with nephrotic syndrome showing unclassified segmental lesions as Columbia classification may be equivalent clinical impact as Columbia classification of FSGS.

High urinary glucose is associated with improved renal prognosis in patients with diabetes mellitus.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: The relationship between renal function and urinary glucose is poorly understood in diabetes patients who are not using sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. This study aimed to investigate the association of urinary glucose excretion with renal function prognosis in such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 1,172 patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients were recruited and data were collected between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2011; follow-up data were collected until 30 June 2015. The primary outcome was set as a 30% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate relative to baseline. The relationship between this outcome and urinary glucose was investigated using Cox proportional hazards model. For analysis, patients were categorized into two groups: urinary glucose <5 g/day or ≥5 g/day. Interaction terms were analyzed. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that the prognosis of renal function was significantly better in patients with high urinary glucose (≥5 g/day; adjusted hazard ratio 0.58, 95% confidence interval 0.35-0.96; P = 0.034). Significant interactions were observed between high urinary glucose and male sex (hazard ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.14-0.74; P = 0.007), and between high urinary glucose and longer duration of diabetes (≥10 years; hazard ratio 0.25, 95% confidence interval 0.11-0.58; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that high urinary glucose is associated with prognosis in diabetes patients not taking sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. Measurement of 24-h urinary glucose excretion might have clinical utility for predicting renal prognosis.

Clinical impact of urinary CD11b and CD163 on the renal outcomes of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND: The detection of leukocyte-derived CD11b (α subunit of integrin Mac-1) and CD163 (scavenger receptor) in urine may reflect renal inflammation in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN). The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of urinary CD11b (U-CD11b) and CD163 (U-CD163) in ANCA-GN. METHODS: U-CD11b and U-CD163 were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in ANCA-GN urine samples from our institutional cohort (n = 88) and a nationwide cohort (n = 138), and their association with renal histology was subsequently analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were performed on a nationwide ANCA cohort to determine the associations of the two urinary molecules with renal remission failure at 6 months or with yearly estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope over a 24-month observation period. RESULTS: U-CD11b and U-CD163 were significantly associated with cellular crescent formation and leukocyte accumulation in glomerular crescents. With regard to interstitial inflammation, both levels of U-CD11b and U-CD163 at diagnosis remarkably increased in ANCA-GN compared with the levels observed in nonglomerular kidney disorders including nephrosclerosis, immunoglobulin G4-related disease and tubulointerstitial nephritis; however, the presence of U-CD11b alone was significantly correlated with tubulointerstitial leukocyte infiltrates. Although neither U-CD11b nor U-CD163 at diagnosis was associated with remission failure at 6 months, multivariate analysis demonstrated that the baseline U-CD11b levels were significantly associated with the increase in eGFR following immunosuppressive therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Although both U-CD11b and U-CD163 reflect renal leukocyte accumulation, U-CD11b at diagnosis provides additional clinical value by predicting the recovery rate after the treatment of ANCA-GN.

Long-term changes in renal function after treatment initiation and the importance of early diagnosis in maintaining renal function among IgG4-related tubulointerstitial nephritis patients in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate associations between long-term renal function, whether IgG4-related tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) was diagnosed by renal biopsy at initial examination, chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage, and histological stage in patients with IgG4-related TIN. METHODS: This study used a retrospective cohort design including almost all patients who underwent renal biopsy at Fujita Health University Hospital and Nagoya University or its affiliated hospitals in Aichi between April 2003 and March 2015 (n = 6977 renal biopsies). The primary outcome was longitudinal changes in eGFR. Main exposures were whether IgG4-related TIN was diagnosed by renal biopsy at the initial examination, CKD stage, and its histological stage. Linear mixed models were performed to examine associations. RESULTS: Of the 6977 samples, there were 24 patients (with 201 records due to repeated measures) with IgG4-related TIN (20 men, mean age, 68.7 ± 9.7 years). They were followed up 6.6 ± 2.8 years after the renal biopsy and underwent glucocorticoid treatment. We found significant increase in eGFR from the baseline to 2 and 6 months after treatment initiation, which was maintained until 60 months. Patients initially diagnosed with IgG4-related TIN had higher eGFR from the baseline (at the start of treatment) to 60 months than those who were not. Compared with patients with CKD stage 3, patients with CKD stages 4 and 5 had lower eGFR at the baseline and other time points. Patients with histological stage B had comparatively lower eGFR at each point than stage A patients. Those mean differences of eGFR were stable from the baseline to 60 months. CONCLUSIONS: After the treatment initiation, renal function rapidly improved and maintained for a long period, even with advanced CKD stage. We showed importance of early diagnosis of IgG4-related TIN in maintaining eGFR.

The revised version 2018 of the nationwide web-based registry system for kidney diseases in Japan: Japan Renal Biopsy Registry and Japan Kidney Disease Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Japan Renal Biopsy Registry (J-RBR), the first nation-wide registry of renal biopsies in Japan, was established in 2007, and expanded to include non-biopsy cases as the Japan Kidney Disease Registry (J-KDR) in 2009. The J-RBR/J-KDR is one of the biggest registries for kidney diseases. It has revealed the prevalence and distribution of kidney diseases in Japan. This registry system was meant to be revised after 10 years. METHODS: In 2017, the Committees of the Japanese Society of Nephrology started a project for the revision of the J-RBR/J-KDR. The revised system was designed in such a way that the diagnoses of the patients could be selected from the Diagnosis Panel, a list covering almost all known kidney diseases, and focusing on their pathogenesis rather than morphological classification. The Diagnosis Panel consists of 22 categories (18 glomerular, 1 tubulointerstitial, 1 congenital/genetical, 1 transplant related, and 1 other) and includes 123 diagnostic names. The items for clinical diagnosis and laboratory data were also renewed, with the addition of the information on immunosuppressive treatment. RESULTS: The revised version of J-RBR/J-KDR came into use in January 2018. The number of cases registered under the revised system was 2748 in the first year. The total number of cases has reached to 43,813 since 2007. CONCLUSION: The revised version 2018 J-RBR/J-KDR system attempts to cover all kidney diseases by focusing on their pathogenesis. It will be a new platform for the standardized registration of kidney biopsy cases that provides more systemized data of higher quality.

External validation of the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score for mortality and bacteraemia risk evaluation in Japanese patients undergoing haemodialysis: a retrospective multicentre cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine the validity of the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score for mortality and bacteraemia risk assessment in Japanese haemodialysis patients. DESIGN: This is a retrospective multicentre cohort study. SETTING: The six participating hospitals are tertiary-care institutions that receive patients on an emergency basis and provide primary, secondary and tertiary care. The other participating hospital is a secondary-care institution that receives patients on an emergency basis and provides both primary and secondary care. PARTICIPANTS: This study included haemodialysis outpatients admitted for bacteraemia suspicion, who had blood drawn for cultures within 48 hours of their initial admission. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was overall in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included 28-day in-hospital mortality and the incidence of bacteraemia diagnosed based on blood culture findings. The discrimination, calibration and test performance of the qSOFA score were assessed. Missing data were handled using multiple imputation. RESULTS: Among the 507 haemodialysis patients admitted with bacteraemia suspicion between August 2011 and July 2013, the overall in-hospital mortality was 14.6% (74/507), the 28-day in-hospital mortality was 11.1% (56/507) and the incidence of bacteraemia, defined as a positive blood culture, was 13.4% (68/507). For predicting in-hospital mortality among haemodialysis patients, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.61 (95% CI 0.56-0.67) for a qSOFA score ≥2. The Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2 statistics for the qSOFA score as a predictor of overall and 28-day in-hospital mortality were 5.72 (p=0.02) and 7.40 (p<0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: On external validation, the qSOFA score exhibited low diagnostic accuracy and miscalibration for in-hospital mortality and bacteraemia among haemodialysis patients.

Clinical impact of endocapillary proliferation with modified cutoff points in IgA nephropathy patients.

Predictive values of mesangial proliferation (M), endocapillary proliferation (E), segmental glomerulosclerosis (S), and crescents (C) among 19 validation studies of the Oxford Classification of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) were discrepant, especially in Asian patients. These validation studies indicate that cutoffs of MESC score in the Oxford Classification may not be generalizable. Thus, we aimed to improve the clinical value of MESC scores by modifying the cutoff points. A total of 104 patients with IgAN were diagnosed from 2001 to 2012 vai renal biopsy and retrospectively evaluated at Nagoya University Hospital. The cutoff point for modified (M´E´S´C´) was determined using the receiver operating characteristic curve in association with renal outcome in the training cohort. Clinical values of the Oxford MESTC vs M´E´S´C´ cutoff points were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression in association with poor renal outcome in the validation and the entire cohort. Of 104 patients, 12.5% reached poor renal outcome over a median of 6.25 [4.16-9.61] years of follow-up. The modified cutoffs were defined as ≥40%, ≥10%, ≥20%, and ≥5% in the glomeruli for M´E´S´, and C´ respectively. In univariate analysis, E´, S ´, and T were significantly associated with poor renal outcome, whereas Oxford MESC, M´, and C´ in the training and validation cohort were not associated with poor renal outcome. Using multivariate analysis in the presence of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), only E´ was a significant predictive factor for poor renal outcome. The E´ with modified cutoff point of 10% significantly improved predictive value for poor renal outcome in IgAN. Therefore, the clinical value of modified cutoff points for M´E´S´C´ scores should be validated with various cohort studies in different regions.

Short-Term Steroid Regimen for Adult Steroid-Sensitive Minimal Change Disease.

BACKGROUND: In pediatric patients with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome, recent trials have revealed that a 2-month, short-term steroid regimen is not inferior to an extended steroid course. However, the optimal duration of initial steroid therapy for adult steroid-sensitive minimal change disease (MCD) remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: The aim of present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 2-month, short-term steroid regimen in the treatment of adult steroid-sensitive MCD patients. METHOD: This was a prospective observational study. Adult patients with steroid-sensitive MCD (n = 35) who were initiated on a short-term steroid regimen between January 2015 and June 2016 were included. The details of the regimen are as follows: (1) prednisolone was administered at an initial dose of 0.8-1.0 mg/kg/day and continued for 4-6 weeks and (2) dosage was reduced to 0.5-0.6 mg/kg/alternate day and continued for 4 weeks. Control patients (n = 140), who were treated using conventional steroid administration, were selected from our previous adult MCD cohort. All patients fulfilled the following criteria: biopsy-proven MCD, age ≥20 years, first episode of nephrotic syndrome, and attainment of complete remission within 4 weeks. The following parameters of patients who received short-term treatment regimen and control patients were compared: any relapse and frequent relapse, adverse events caused by steroid treatment and cumulative steroid dose. RESULTS: Throughout the observation period (median: 17.3 months), 24 (68.6%) patients in the short-term group developed at least one relapse. The short-term regimen showed earlier occurrence of any relapse than the conventional regimen (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.45; 95% CI 1.51-3.97; p < 0.001), but there was no difference in frequent relapse (aHR 1.31; 95% CI 0.43-3.99; p = 0.63). None of the patients showed any symptoms of adrenal insufficiency after discontinuation of corticosteroids. The cumulative steroid dose during the observational period was significantly lower in the short-term group than in the conventional group. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term steroid regimen may represent an effective treatment option that ensures lower steroid exposure when treating adult steroid-sensitive MCD patients.

Clinical impact of endocapillary proliferation according to the Oxford classification among adults with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) is a form of small vessel vasculitis associated with purpura and IgA deposition in the glomeruli. The International Study of Kidney Disease in Children (ISKDC) classification predicts renal prognosis in children with HSPN, but not in adults. Additionally, it is not well known whether the Oxford classification 2016 and/or the Japanese Histologic classification (JHC) are associated with renal outcome. Herein, we investigated the relationship between pathological characteristics and renal outcome among adult patients with HSPN. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted in adult patients with HSPN who underwent renal biopsy between 2004 and 2014. Two nephrologists classified each patient according to the Oxford classification 2016, JHC, and the ISKDC classification. Renal outcome was defined by a 30% decline in the eGFR and/or end-stage kidney disease. RESULTS: We enrolled 74 adult patients with HSPN (mean age, 47.8 ± 17.4 years; mean eGFR, 76.4 ± 25.8 ml/min/1.73 m2; median proteinuria, 1.40 [IQR: 0.70-2.38] g/day). During a mean follow-up period of 68.0 ± 33.0 months, fourteen patients (18.9%) reached the renal outcome, and all 14 had received immunosuppressive therapy. The log-rank test revealed that event-free renal survival was significantly shorter in patients with endocapillary proliferation (E1) according to the Oxford classification than in those with E0 (p = 0.0072). However, the JHC, ISKDC classification and other Oxford lesions could not demonstrate a significant difference in event-free renal survival. In a multivariate Cox model adjusted for clinical and pathological factors, age (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.12-2.21) and E lesion (HR, 6.71; 95% CI, 1.06-42.7) were independent risk factors for renal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Endocapillary proliferation is significantly associated with renal outcome in adult patients with HSPN, including those receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Other Oxford classification lesions, JHC, and ISKDC classification were not associated with renal outcome.

Treatment patterns and steroid dose for adult minimal change disease relapses: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In patients with adult minimal change disease (MCD), proteinuria relapse is a problem to solve. However, the optimal relapse treatment regimen remains unclear regarding steroid dose. We described the treatment pattern of adult MCD patients and evaluated the appropriate steroid dose for relapse treatment. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter cohort study included 192 patients with adult biopsy-proven MCD from 14 hospitals in Japan. The prescription pattern of immunosuppressive drugs in relapse was reviewed. To assess the association between steroid dose used for relapse and subsequent outcomes, data of patients with tapered prednisolone (PSL) dosage to <10 mg/day before the first relapse in whom the dose was subsequently increased to ≥10 mg/day were extracted and assigned to the High-PSL or Low-PSL groups, based on the median dose of 20 mg/day. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model and propensity score analysis with multiple imputations were conducted to compare their clinical course. RESULTS: During a median observation period of 37.6 months, 186/192 (96.9%) patients achieved complete remission (CR) and 100 (52.1%) relapsed. The median urinary protein level at the first relapse was 3.12 g/gCr or g/day. The proportion of non-steroidal immunosuppressant use increased with relapses; cyclosporine was the most common. No significant differences were found in the second relapse, frequent relapses, or adverse events between High-PSL (n = 34) and Low-PSL (n = 36) groups. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model revealed that the hazard ratios adjusted with propensity score for the second relapse were 0.94 (High-PSL vs. Low-PSL; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-2.10; P = 0.88) and 0.82 (PSL dose per 10 mg/day; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-1.16; P = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients in CR with PSL dose <10 mg/day, higher steroid dose (PSL >20 mg/day) was not associated with favorable outcomes after the first relapse as compared to lower dose (10-20 mg/day).

Investigation on the benefits of mycophenolate mofetil and therapeutic drug monitoring in the treatment of Japanese patients with lupus nephritis.

BACKGROUND: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is recommended as a first-line immunosuppressant to treat lupus nephritis (LN). Prognosis and therapeutic response in LN are known to vary depending on race. We investigated the benefits of MMF and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in the treatment of Japanese LN patients. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 20 patients with LN who started MMF treatment were included. Clinical data were collected regularly after MMF administration. We evaluated complete remission (CR) rate as the primary outcome. Predictors of CR were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. In the research of TDM, the correlation with the area under the curve (AUC) was analyzed at MMF dose, single-point value, treatment response, and adverse events. RESULTS: Overall, 70% of cases showed CR; both flare-ups and refractory cases had favorable results. Cases of LN with nephrotic syndrome (NS) or class III/IV + V showed a significantly lower CR rate (p < 0.005). The ratio of maintaining CR after MMF therapy was as high as 85.7%. In multivariate analysis, NS was an independent negative predictor of CR (HR 0.09, 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.81; p = 0.03). The relationship between AUC and MMF dose was low, and AUC correlated with trough level (r = 0.73). AUC tended to be high in the treatment responder (p = 0.09), but did not correlate with adverse events of infection (p = 0.92). CONCLUSION: MMF is a beneficial treatment option for Japanese LN patients, and further investigation on TDM-based therapy is needed.

Seasonal proteinuria changes in IgA nephropathy patients after proteinuria remission.

BACKGROUND: Proteinuria is a powerful prognostic factor for end-stage renal disease in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients. However, it is not known whether proteinuria exacerbations are related to seasonal changes. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled consecutive patients diagnosed with IgAN by kidney biopsy at our hospital between 2002 and 2014. Proteinuria remission was defined as urinary protein <0.3 g/gCr in two consecutive outpatient urinalyses and exacerbation as urinary protein ≥0.75 g/gCr. Four seasons were defined: spring (March-May), summer (June-August), autumn (September-November), and winter (December-February). We performed a multivariate analysis to identify factors associated with the second remission following a proteinuria exacerbation. RESULTS: We analyzed 116 patients. Proteinuria remission and exacerbation occurred in 77, and 43 patients, respectively. The incidence of proteinuria exacerbation was significantly higher in autumn and winter than in spring and summer (p = 0.040). The cumulative second remission rate was significantly higher in patients with autumn and winter proteinuria exacerbation than in patients with spring and summer exacerbations (p = 0.0091). In multivariate analyses, exacerbation onset in autumn and winter (hazard ratio [HR], 3.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41-8.74) and intensive therapy (HR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.05-4.88) were significantly associated with a second proteinuria remission. CONCLUSION: In IgAN patients in proteinuria remission, proteinuria exacerbation frequently occurred in autumn and winter. Exacerbations occurring in autumn and winter tended to remit early.