Korean J Nephrol.  2009 Nov;28(6):579-587.

Retrospective Comparisons about Effects of Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker and/or Steroid on Proteinuria Reduction and Renal Protection in IgA Nephropathy Patients with Proteinuria less than 1 g/g

• Hwang SJ
• Choi SY
• Cho SY
• Park JY
• Jung KH
• Moon JY
• Lee SH
• Lee TW
• Ihm CG

Abstract

PURPOSE
It remains controversial how to treat the IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients with proteinuria <1g/day. We investigated effects of single or combined use of angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) and steroid on proteinuria reduction and renal protection in IgAN patients with normal renal function and urine protein/creatinine ratio (PCR) < or =1 g/g.
METHODS
Oral prednisolone was given at an initial dose of 1 mg/kg every day for 2 months and then gradually tapered for 4 months. An ARB irbesartan or losartan or valsartan was given until the end of follow-up.
RESULTS
Over a mean follow-up period of about 40 mo, the urine PCR decreased from 0.64+/-0.29 g/g to 0.32+/-0.31 g/g in the combination group (n=26) (p<0.05). But in ARB (n=17) and steroid groups (n=20), it decreased from 0.56+/-0.26 g/g to 0.54+/-0.45 g/g and from 0.50+/-0.26 g/g to 0.34+/-0.32 g/g, respectively, while there were no statistical significances. Serum creatinine decreased from 0.83+/-0.13 mg/dL to 0.73+/-0.14 mg/dL in steroid group (p<0.01), and from 0.92+/-0.17 mg/dL to 0.81+/-0.23 mg/dL in combination group (p<0.01). But in ARB group, no statistical significance was noticed. All patients achieved the BP goal < or =130/80 mmHg by adding anti-hypertensive drugs, if necessary.
CONCLUSION
Our results indicate that (steroid or) combination therapy reduced proteinuria and improved renal function in the patients with proteinuria < or =1 g/g. Further prospective controlled studies are required to clarify the effect of steroid over the long term.

Keyword

Glomerulonephritis; IgA; Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers; Prednisolone; Proteinuria

MeSH Terms

Angiotensin II
Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers
Angiotensins
Antihypertensive Agents
Biphenyl Compounds
Creatinine
Follow-Up Studies
Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis, IGA
Humans
Immunoglobulin A
Losartan
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Prednisolone
Proteinuria
Receptors, Angiotensin
Retrospective Studies
Tetrazoles
Valine
Valsartan
Angiotensin II
Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers
Angiotensins
Antihypertensive Agents
Biphenyl Compounds
Creatinine
Immunoglobulin A
Losartan
Prednisolone
Receptors, Angiotensin
Tetrazoles
Valine