Efficacy and safety of low-dose corticosteroids combined with leflunomide for progressive IgA nephropathy : a systematic review and meta-analysis

© 2024. The Author(s)..

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The effectiveness of immunosuppressive and corticosteroid treatments for Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) remains thoroughly evaluated. We undertook a meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose corticosteroids plus leflunomide for progressive IgA nephropathy.

METHODS: Eligible studies were obtained from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. We also searched the references of the included studies. Our protocol followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Eligibility criteria were defined using a PICOS framework.

RESULTS: Our study included three articles presenting 342 patient cases. Findings revealed that low-dose corticosteroids combined with the leflunomide group were effective in relieving urine protein excretion (UPE) [mean difference (MD) = -0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.41 to -0.30, P < 0.00001] compared with the full-dose corticosteroids group. Regarding serum creatinine (SCr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), complete remission rate, and overall response rate, there was no difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Regarding safety, low-dose corticosteroids combined with leflunomide significantly reduced the risk of serious adverse events [odds ratio (OR): 0.11, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.91, P = 0.04]. Besides, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the incidence of respiratory infection, abnormal liver function, diarrhea, herpes zoster, alopecia, pruritus, insomnia, pneumonia, diabetes, and urinary tract infection (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose corticosteroids combined with leflunomide are a safe and effective treatment for progressive IgA nephropathy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42022361883.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2024

Erschienen:

2024

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:24

Enthalten in:

BMC urology - 24(2024), 1 vom: 11. März, Seite 56

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Zhang, Dongxu [VerfasserIn]
Xia, Bowen [VerfasserIn]
Zhang, Xin [VerfasserIn]
Liang, Pu [VerfasserIn]
Hu, Xiaopeng [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Corticosteroids
G162GK9U4W
IgA nephropathy
Immunosuppressive Agents
Journal Article
Leflunomide
Meta-Analysis
Meta-analysis
Proteinuria
Systematic Review

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 13.03.2024

Date Revised 15.03.2024

published: Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1186/s12894-024-01438-3

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM369579739