Corticotherapy response in primary IgA nephropathy.

INTRODUCTION: Some beneficial effects from long-term use of corticosteroids have been reported in patients with IgA nephropathy. OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the outcome of proteinuria and renal function according to a protocol based on a 6-month course of steroid treatment. METHOD: Twelve patients were treated with 1 g/day intravenous methylprednisolone for 3 consecutive days at the beginning of months 1, 3, and 5 plus 0.5 mg/kg oral prednisone on alternate days for 6 months (treated group). The control group included 9 untreated patients. RESULTS: Proteinuria (median and 25th and 75th percentiles) at baseline in the treated group was 1861 mg/24h (1518; 2417 mg/24h) and was 703 mg/24h (245; 983) and 684 mg/24h (266; 1023) at the 6th (p < 0.05 vs. baseline) and 12th months (p < 0.05 vs. baseline), respectively. In the control group the proteinuria was 1900 mg/24h (1620; 3197) at baseline and was 2290 mg/24h (1500; 2975) and 1600 mg/24h (1180; 2395) at the 6th and 12th months, respectively (not significant vs. baseline). When compared with the control group, the treated group showed lower proteinuria (p < 0.05) during the follow-up and a higher number of patients in remission (p < 0.05) at the 6th and 12th months. Renal function did not change during the follow-up and the adverse effects were mild in most of the patients. CONCLUSION: The 6-month course of steroid treatment was effective in reducing proteinuria during the 12 months of the follow-up, and was well-tolerated by most of the patients.

Corticotherapy response in primary IgA nephropathy / Resposta à corticoterapia na nefropatia da IgA primária

INTRODUCTION: Some beneficial effects from long-term use of corticosteroids have been reported in patients with IgA nephropathy. OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the outcome of proteinuria and renal function according to a protocol based on a 6-month course of steroid treatment. METHOD: Twelve patients were treated with 1 g/day intravenous methylprednisolone for 3 consecutive days at the beginning of months 1, 3, and 5 plus 0.5 mg/kg oral prednisone on alternate days for 6 months (treated group). The control group included 9 untreated patients. RESULTS: Proteinuria (median and 25th and 75th percentiles) at baseline in the treated group was 1861 mg/24h (1518; 2417 mg/24h) and was 703 mg/24h (245; 983) and 684 mg/24h (266; 1023) at the 6th (p < 0.05 vs. baseline) and 12th months (p < 0.05 vs. baseline), respectively. In the control group the proteinuria was 1900 mg/24h (1620; 3197) at baseline and was 2290 mg/24h (1500; 2975) and 1600 mg/24h (1180; 2395) at the 6th and 12th months, respectively (not significant vs. baseline). When compared with the control group, the treated group showed lower proteinuria (p < 0.05) during the follow-up and a higher number of patients in remission (p < 0.05) at the 6th and 12th months. Renal function did not change during the follow-up and the adverse effects were mild in most of the patients. CONCLUSION: The 6-month course of steroid treatment was effective in reducing proteinuria during the 12 months of the follow-up, and was well-tolerated by most of the patients.

INTRODUÇÃO: Tem sido sugerido que tratamento mais prolongado com corticosteroides pode ser benéfico em pacientes com nefropatia da IgA primária. OBJETIVO: Neste estudo retrospectivo avaliamos os efeitos na proteinúria e na função renal após 12 meses do protocolo baseado no uso por 6 meses de corticosteroides. MÉTODO: Doze pacientes receberam pulsos de 1 g/dia de metilprednisolona intravenosa por 3 dias consecutivos no início dos meses 1, 3 e 5, seguidos por prednisona (0,5 mg/kg) por via oral em dias alternados após cada pulso durante 6 meses (grupo tratado). O grupo controle foi composto por nove pacientes não tratados. RESULTADOS: A proteinúria (mg/24h; mediana; 25º; 75º percentis) no período basal no grupo tratado foi de 1861 (1518; 2417) e de 703 (245; 983) e de 684 (266; 1023) nos 6º (p < 0,05 vs. basal) e 12º (p < 0,05 vs. basal) meses, respectivamente. No grupo controle, a proteinúria foi de 1900 (1620; 3197) no período basal e de 2290 (1500; 2975) e de 1600 (1180; 2395) nos 6º e 12º meses, respectivamente (não significantes vs. basal). Comparado com o grupo controle, o grupo tratado teve menor proteinúria (p < 0,05) e número maior de pacientes em remissão (p < 0,05) nos 6º e 12º meses. A função renal não teve alteração significante e eventos adversos foram de pequena intensidade na maioria dos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: O protocolo terapêutico base-ado no uso por 6 meses de corticosteroides foi efetivo em reduzir a proteinúria durante os 12 meses de seguimento e foi bem tolerado pela maioria dos pacientes.