Comparison between steroid pulse therapy alone and in combination with tonsillectomy for IgA nephropathy

[Immunosuppression, tonsillectomy and remissions in high-risk IgA-nephropathy]

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy (IST) and tonsillectomy (TE) in patients with high-risk IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Materials and мethods. The retrospective study cohort included cases with primary IgAN (n=213, age 34±11 years, male 52%) at high risk of progression with clinical and morphological data collected. The follow-up was 26 (10; 61) months. The association of IST without TE (IST; n=141) or with TE (IST+TE; n=72) with the development of complete (PR), partial (PR) and overall (PR or PR, OR) remissions was investigated.

RESULTS

The incidence of achieving early PR or OR in the IST and IST+TE groups was 65.2% and 86.1%, respectively (p=0.002). The probability of early PR or OR was significantly increased in the IST+TE group compared to IST [HR 1.714 (1.214-2.420) and HR 3.410 (1.309-8.880), respectively]. IST+TE was associated with a 3- to 4-fold increase in the likelihood of PR or OR at the end of follow-up [HR 2.575 (1.679-3.950) and HR 4.768 (2.434-9.337), respectively]. Analyses using pseudorandomisation methods yielded similar results.

CONCLUSION

TE may be effective for remission induction in high-risk IgAN.

Effect of tonsillectomy combined with steroid pulse therapy upon IgA nephropathy depending on proteinuria status at diagnosis: a nationwide multicenter cohort study in Japan

BACKGROUND

The effects of tonsillectomy combined with steroid pulse (TSP) therapy for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) are little known. Therefore, we examined the effects of TSP therapy on the kidney outcomes of IgAN in a large, nationwide cohort study in Japan.

METHODS

Between 2002 and 2004, 632 IgAN patients with ≥ 0.5 g/day proteinuria at diagnosis were divided into three groups with mild (0.50-0.99 g/day; n = 264), moderate (1.00-1.99 g/day, n = 216), or severe (≥ 2.00 g/day; n = 153). Decline in kidney function and urinary remission were compared among the three groups after TSP therapy, corticosteroid (ST) therapy, or conservative therapy during a mean follow-up of 6.2 ± 3.3 years. 10.6% and 5.9% of patients in the ST and conservative therapy group underwent tonsillectomy.

RESULTS

The rate of urinary remission at the final observation was significantly higher in the TSP therapy group than in the ST or conservative therapy groups (mild proteinuria: 64%, 43%, and 41%; moderate proteinuria: 51%, 45%, and 28%; severe proteinuria: 48%, 30%, and 22%, respectively). In contrast, the rate of a 50% increase in serum creatinine was lower in groups TSP therapy, than ST or conservative therapy (mild proteinuria: 2.1%, 10.1% and 16.7%; moderate proteinuria: 4.8%, 8.8% and 27.7%; severe proteinuria: 12.0%, 28.9% and 43.1%, respectively). In multivariate analysis, TSP therapy significantly prevented a 50% increase in serum creatinine levels compared with conservative therapy in groups with moderate and severe proteinuria (hazard ratio, 0.12 and 0.22, respectively).

CONCLUSION

TSP significantly increased the rate of proteinuria disappearance and urinary remission in IgAN patients with mild-to-moderate urinary protein levels. It may also reduce the decline in kidney function in patients with moderate-to-severe urinary protein levels.

Histological Correlation between Tonsillar and Glomerular Lesions in Patients with IgA Nephropathy Justifying Tonsillectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Tonsillectomy with steroid pulse therapy (SPT) has been established as an effective treatment for immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) in Japan. However, the underlying mechanisms supporting tonsillectomy remain unclear. This study assessed palatine tonsils from 77 patients with IgAN, including 14 and 63 who received SPT before and after tonsillectomy, respectively. Tonsils from 21 patients with chronic tonsillitis were analyzed as controls. Specific tonsillar lesions were confirmed in patients with IgAN, correlating with active or chronic renal glomerular lesions and SPT. T-nodule and involution of lymphoepithelial symbiosis scores in tonsils correlated with the incidence of active crescents and segmental sclerosis in the glomeruli, respectively. The study revealed an essential role of the tonsil-glomerular axis in early active and late chronic phases. Moreover, the SPT-preceding group demonstrated no changes in the T-nodule score, which correlated with active crescent formation, but exhibited a considerable shrinkage of lymphatic follicles that produced aberrant IgA1. The study underscores the involvement of innate and cellular immunity in IgAN and advocates for tonsillectomy as a necessary treatment alongside SPT for IgAN, based on a stepwise process.

Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating IgA Nephropathy: From Basic Science to Clinical Research

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a major cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease worldwide. Currently, clinical interventions for IgAN are limited, and many patients seek out alternative therapies such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In the last several years, TCM has accumulated ample application experiences and achieved favorable clinical effects. This article summarizes high-quality research from basic science to clinical applications aimed to provide more evidence-based medicine proof for the clinical treatment of IgAN. In summary, qi and yin deficiency accounted for the largest proportion in IgAN patients, and the treatment of IgAN should be based on supplementing qi and nourishing yin. Further, for patients with severe IgAN, the treatment combination of Chinese and Western medicines is better than pure Chinese medicine or hormone therapy. In addition, the pharmacological mechanism of Chinese herbal medicines is mostly based on restoring the immune function, relieving the inflammation damage, and inhibiting proliferation of the glomerular mesangial cells.

Impact of the number of steroid pulses in tonsillectomy combined with steroid pulse therapy: a nationwide retrospective study in Japan

BACKGROUND

Steroid pulse therapy with tonsillectomy is known as a major treatment for IgA nephropathy (IgAN). However, its protocol was different among institutions and the effects of varying the number of steroid pulses remain unclear.

METHODS

From a total of 1,174 IgAN patients in a multicenter retrospective cohort analysis in Japan, 195 patients were treated by tonsillectomy combined with corticosteroid. They were divided into four groups based on the number of administered steroid pulses from 0 to three (TSP0-3), and remission of urinary abnormalities and renal survival until 1.5-fold increase in serum creatinine level from baseline were analyzed among the four groups and between TSP1 and TSP3.

RESULTS

Among the four groups, renal function was relatively good when the estimated glomerular filtration rate was approximately 80-90 mL/min/1.73m² and proteinuria was relatively mild (< 1.0 g/gCre). The ratio of patients who developed renal dysfunction was < 5% in all groups, and the cumulative renal survival rate by Kaplan-Meier analysis was similar among groups (log-rank test, p = 0.37), despite varying clinical backgrounds and treatments. After adjustment of the background variables between TSP1 and TSP3, the remission rates of urinary abnormalities were similar and the renal survival rate also remained similar (66.8 vs. 85.4%, p = 0.45).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with mild proteinuria and good renal function, the number of steroid pulses did not affect the renal outcome in steroid pulse therapy with tonsillectomy. The adaptation and protocols, such as the number of steroid pulses, should be determined for each IgAN patient's background.

The Role of Immune Modulation in Pathogenesis of IgA Nephropathy

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most prevalent primary glomerulonephritis worldwide, with diverse clinical manifestations characterized by recurrent gross hematuria or microscopic hematuria, and pathological changes featuring poorly O-galactosylated IgA1 deposition in the glomerular mesangium. Pathogenesis has always been the focus of IgAN studies. After 50 years of research, most scholars agree that IgAN is a group of clinicopathological syndromes with certain common immunopathological characteristics, and multiple mechanisms are involved in its pathogenesis, including immunology, genetics, and environmental or nutritional factors. However, the precise pathogenetic mechanisms have not been fully determined. One hypothesis about the pathogenesis of IgAN suggests that immunological factors are engaged in all aspects of IgAN development and play a critical role. A variety of immune cells (e.g., dendritic cells, NK cells, macrophages, T-lymphocyte subsets, and B-lymphocytes, etc.) and molecules (e.g., IgA receptors, Toll-like receptors, complements, etc.) in innate and adaptive immunity are involved in the pathogenesis of IgAN. Moreover, the abnormality of mucosal immune regulation is the core of IgAN immunopathogenesis. The roles of tonsil immunity or intestinal mucosal immunity, which have received more attention in recent years, are supported by mounting evidence. In this review, we will explore the latest research insights on the role of immune modulation in the pathogenesis of IgAN. With a better understanding of immunopathogenesis of IgAN, emerging therapies will soon become realized.

The impact of tonsillectomy combined with steroid pulse therapy in patients with advanced IgA nephropathy and impaired renal function

BACKGROUND

Preventing progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in advanced IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients with impaired renal function remains challenging. We analyzed the efficacy of tonsillectomy combined with steroid pulse therapy (TSP).

METHODS

In this retrospective analysis, IgAN patients with proteinuria > 0.5 g/day and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² were divided into three groups: patients treated with TSP (TSP group; n = 23), oral prednisolone (oPSL group; n = 41), and conservative therapy (CONS group, n = 51). We analyzed the clinical and histological backgrounds, remission of urinary findings, and renal survival rate to a 25% decline in eGFR from baseline, and incidence of ESRD.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in the patients' backgrounds among the groups. Therefore, we adjusted the background using propensity score marching between TSP group and oPSL or CONS group. The 5-year remission rate of hematuria was significantly higher in the TSP group than in the oPSL group, and that of both hematuria and proteinuria was significantly higher in the TSP group than in the CONS group. The 10-year renal survival rate was significantly higher in the TSP group than in the oPSL and CONS groups. In a multivariate Cox regression analysis, TSP was found to be an independent factor for the 25% decline in eGFR in entire cohort. The adverse effect frequency in the TSP group was similar to the CONS group.

CONCLUSIONS

TSP can effectively induce remission of urinary abnormality and improve the prognosis without frequent adverse effects in IgAN patients with impaired renal function.

Clinical and histological features and therapeutic strategies for IgA nephropathy

Chronic glomerulonephritis is the second most common reason, after diabetic nephropathy, for initiation of dialysis in Japan and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most prevalent form of chronic glomerulonephritis. In the half century since IgAN was initially reported, our understanding of the long-term prognosis, clinical and histological features, pathogenesis of onset and progression, risk factors for progression, and appropriate treatment under different clinical and histological conditions, has steadily increased. Strong experimental and clinical evidence, the Clinical Practice Guidelines for IgA Nephropathy in Japan, the Oxford Classification, and the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines have all contributed to the appropriate treatment of IgAN. Several intensive therapies, such as tonsillectomy, steroid therapy, and their combinations, can result in clinical remission, and prevent the progression to end stage renal disease (ESRD). However, some IgAN patients still progress to ESRD even when treated with intensive therapies. In this review, we discuss the clinical and histological features of IgAN, focusing primarily on our previous reports, and our opinions on therapeutic strategies for IgAN.

Indications for tonsillectomy stratified by the level of evidence

Background: One of the most significant clinical trials, demonstrating the efficacy of tonsillectomy (TE) for recurrent throat infection in severely affected children, was published in 1984. This systematic review was undertaken to compile various indications for TE as suggested in the literature after 1984 and to stratify the papers according to the current concept of evidence-based medicine. Material and methods: A systematic Medline research was performed using the key word of "tonsillectomy" in combination with different filters such as "systematic reviews", "meta-analysis", "English", "German", and "from 1984/01/01 to 2015/05/31". Further research was performed in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, National Guideline Clearinghouse, Guidelines International Network and BMJ Clinical Evidence using the same key word. Finally, data from the "Trip Database" were researched for "tonsillectomy" and "indication" and "from: 1984 to: 2015" in combination with either "systematic review" or "meta-analysis" or "metaanalysis". Results: A total of 237 papers were retrieved but only 57 matched our inclusion criteria covering the following topics: peritonsillar abscess (3), guidelines (5), otitis media with effusion (5), psoriasis (3), PFAPA syndrome (6), evidence-based indications (5), renal diseases (7), sleep-related breathing disorders (11), and tonsillitis/pharyngitis (12), respectively. Conclusions: 1) The literature suggests, that TE is not indicated to treat otitis media with effusion. 2) It has been shown, that the PFAPA syndrome is self-limiting and responds well to steroid administration, at least in a considerable amount of children. The indication for TE therefore appears to be imbalanced but further research is required to clarify the value of surgery. 3) Abscesstonsillectomy as a routine is not justified and indicated only for cases not responding to other measures of treatment, evident complications, or with a significant history of tonsillitis. In particular, interval-tonsillectomy is not justified as a routine. 4) TE, with or without adenoidectomy, is efficacious to resolve sleep-related breathing disorders resulting from (adeno)tonsillar hypertrophy in children. However, the benefit is reduced by co-morbidities, such as obesity, and further research is required to identify prognostic factors for this subgroup of patients. Further research is indicated to clarify selection criteria not only for this subpopulation that may benefit from less invasive procedures such as tonsillotomy in the long-term. 5) Further trials are also indicated to evaluate the efficacy of TE on the clinical course in children with psoriasis guttata as well as on psoriasis vulgaris in adults, not responding to first-line therapy. 6) Conflicting results were reported concerning the role of TE in the concert to treat Ig-A nephropathy, mandating further clinical research. 7) Most importantly, randomized-controlled clinical trials with an adequate long-term follow-up are desirable to clarify the benefit of TE in patients with recurrent episodes of tonsillitis, with or without pharyngitis. Factors like age, spontaneous healing rate and postoperative quality of life have to be included when comparing TE with antibiotic therapy.

Long-term efficacy of tonsillectomy as a treatment in patients with IgA nephropathy: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common glomerulonephritis worldwide and will lead some unfavorable outcomes such as end-stage renal disease. The efficacy of tonsillectomy remains controversial in both Asian and Caucasian ethnicity. Our meta-analysis was aiming at exploring its long-term efficacy and providing further evidences for clinical treatment.

METHODS

Prospective and retrospective studies that compared the rate of clinical remission and/or end-stage renal disease in IgAN patients who applied tonsillectomy were involved in our meta-analysis. The online databases we searched were PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science RESULTS: Nineteen studies with a total of 3483 participants are involved in our meta-analysis. It is found that treatment of tonsillectomy is significantly associated with a higher rate of clinical remission (15 studies, 3059 participants; pooled OR 3.30, 95 % CI 2.47-4.40). Meanwhile, tonsillectomy shows positive effect on refraining from developing end-stage renal disease (9 studies, 1804 participants; pooled OR 0.33, 95 % CI 0.16-0.69). In following two subgroup analyses, we integrate studies with more than 5 years of follow-up from clinical remission group and end-stage renal disease group. Both of them show that tonsillectomy has favorable long-term efficacy, pooled OR 3.37 (95 % CI 2.68-4.24) and 0.20 (95 % CI 0.12-0.33), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term efficacy of tonsillectomy indicates that this treatment is helpful in inducing clinical remission and inhibiting development of end-stage renal disease in patients with IgAN and should be considered for addition into standard clinical treatment.

Comparison of oral steroids with tonsillectomy plus steroid pulse therapy in patients with IgA nephropathy

BACKGROUND

Treatment of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in Japan has recently changed, from oral prednisolone (oPSL) to tonsillectomy plus steroid pulse (TSP) therapy. However, a few studies have compared their efficacy and safety.

METHODS

IgAN patients diagnosed in our institution between 1991 and 2013, treated with TSP or oPSL, aged ≥16 years, with ≥1 g/day proteinuria, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30 ml/min/1.73 m², and no other renal disease were selected. Baseline clinical and histological findings, clinical outcomes, and adverse events were compared. Clinical remission (CR) was defined as <0.3 g/day proteinuria and <5 urinary red blood cells per high-powered field.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients were identified; after propensity score adjustment, 26 patients were selected in each group. CR rates were significantly higher at 12 (30.8 % vs. 3.9 %), 36 (47.3 % vs. 7.9 %), and 72 (57.8 % vs. 20.1 %) months (p < 0.01), and the renal survival rate, defined as the development of a 25 % reduction from baseline eGFR, was significantly higher at 12 (96.2 % vs. 69.2 %), 36 (96.2 % vs. 61.5 %), and 72 (96.2 % vs. 41.0 %) months in the TSP than the oPSL group (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that TSP was the only independent factor associated with CR (hazard ratio, 3.58; 95 % confidence interval, 1.32-10.91, p = 0.01). The number of patients with adverse events was significant lower in TSP group than in oPSL group (11.5 % vs. 34.6 %, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

CR rates are higher; protection of renal function and prevention from adverse events were superior with TSP than with oPSL in patients with IgAN and moderate-to-severe proteinuria.

Comparison of methods of steroid administration combined with tonsillectomy for IgA nephropathy patients

BACKGROUND

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a chronic glomerular disease that causes end-stage renal disease in 20-40 % of patients within 20 years. The efficacy of tonsillectomy combined with steroid pulse (SP) administration (TSP) for clinical remission of IgAN has been reported. Particularly in Japan, TSP has been performed widely. However, the optimum method for steroid administration in TSP has not been established.

METHODS

We retrospectively compared clinical remission in IgAN patients treated with tonsillectomy combined with two different steroid administration methods: (1) three courses of SP therapy and oral prednisolone administered on alternate days (group 3A; n = 25); and (2) one course of SP therapy and oral prednisolone administered on consecutive days (group 1C; n = 22).

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the clinical remission rates between the two groups at 12 (48.0 vs. 40.9 %, P = 0.77) and 24 months after starting treatment (68.0 vs. 72.7 %, P = 0.76) and at the final observation (76.0 vs. 81.8 %, P = 0.73). The mean period from starting treatment to remission of hematuria in group 3A was significantly shorter than that in group 1C (5.7 ± 4.4 vs. 9.9 ± 5.9 months, P = 0.03). Dyslipidemic patients treated for the first time with statin after the SP therapy were more present in group 3A at 24 months (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

In IgAN patients, treatment of group 3A may be effective for inducing rapid remission of hematuria. Further studies are needed to establish an appropriate protocol for TSP.

Effect of hematuria on the outcome of immunoglobulin A nephropathy with proteinuria

BACKGROUND

The relationship between hematuria and histological lesions, the effect of hematuria on response to steroid therapy, and the outcome in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) remain undetermined.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of hematuria on histological findings, response to steroid treatment, and the outcome in IgA nephropathy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seventy-five patients with IgAN and proteinuria > 1 g/day and treated with prednisolone were divided into two groups: those with low (≤20/high-power field [HPF]) urinary red blood cell (U-RBC) counts (L-RBC group, n=55) and those with high (>20/HPF) U-RBC counts (H-RBC group, n=20). Their clinical and histological characteristics, the relationship between hematuria and histological lesions, renal outcomes, and risk factors for progression were compared.

RESULTS

Except for U-RBC counts, the clinical and histological findings according to the Oxford classification of the two groups were similar. U-RBC counts were not correlated with active histological lesions. Median proteinuria in both groups decreased soon after starting steroid therapy. Median U-RBC also decreased after starting steroids, and it became similar between both groups at 2 years after treatment. The 20-year renal survival rate was also similar between the H-RBC and the L-RBC group (45.2% versus 58.0%, P=0.5577). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was an independent risk factor for progression.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher degree of hematuria at renal biopsy in patients with IgAN was not associated with active pathological lesions, such as cellular and fibro-cellular crescents, resistance to steroid treatment and poor outcome.

Comparison of immunosuppressive therapies for IgA nephropathy after tonsillectomy: three-course versus one-course steroid pulse combined with mizoribine

Purpose

It has been reported that steroid pulse therapy for IgA nephropathy improves renal prognosis. However, because of the side effects, steroid dose must be restricted to some cases. Treatment effects of steroid on cases already presenting with reduced renal function are unknown. In this study, we performed tonsillectomy in patients with IgA nephropathy and conducted a comparative study about subsequent immunosuppressive therapy.

Methods

Subjects were patients younger than 70 years of age diagnosed with IgA nephropathy by renal biopsy. Treatment protocols were a single-course steroid pulse combined with mizoribine during a period from August 2006 to June 2010 (Group A; n = 34) and a three-course steroid pulse during a period from July 2010 to March 2013 (Group B; n = 32). Primary end points were excretory amounts of proteinuria, disappearance of proteinuria and hematuria, and exacerbation of renal function.

Results

In both the groups, proteinuria decreased significantly 12 months after treatment, and no significant difference in alleviation effects on proteinuria was found between groups. eGFR increased significantly 12 months after treatment in Group A, whereas it tended to decrease in Group B. As for the preservation effect on eGFR, Group A showed significantly higher preservation of eGFR. Similar results were shown in the patients whose eGFR at the start of the treatment was less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m².

Conclusions

Single-course steroid pulse therapy combined with mizoribine was considered to have a protective effect on the renal function in IgA nephropathy, especially accompanying renal dysfunction.

Impact of tonsillectomy combined with steroid pulse therapy on immunoglobulin A nephropathy depending on histological classification: a multicenter study

BACKGROUND

In addition to corticosteroids and inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, tonsillectomy with steroid pulse therapy (TSP) may have a beneficial impact on the clinical course of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). However, there is still much uncertainty regarding the indications for therapy, treatment protocol, and therapeutic options for IgAN.

METHODS

In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, we enrolled 284 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN who received TSP or corticosteroid therapy or conservative therapy. The effects of TSP on clinical remission (CR) were evaluated after a median follow-up period of 4.1 years in relation to histological classifications.

RESULTS

Among the 284 participants, 161 patients received TSP. During the observation time, 141 patients (49.6%) achieved CR, with a median time to remission of 397 days. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, TSP had an impact on achieving CR in only the group with histological grade 3 defined as glomerulosclerosis, crescent formation or adhesion to Bowman's capsule in 10-30% of all biopsied glomeruli, or mild cellular infiltration in the interstitium (hazard ratio (HR) 4.29, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.88-11.19, P < 0.001). TSP independently contributed to a higher incidence of CR, particularly in the patient group showing evident mesangial hypercellularity (HR 2.54, 95%CI 1.38-5.08, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

TSP may have a beneficial effect on the clinical course in IgAN patients with mild to moderate glomerular and interstitial lesions, particularly with distinct mesangial cell proliferation.

Characteristics of IgA nephropathy in advanced-age patients

PURPOSE

The susceptible age for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is <30 years. However, IgAN sometimes develops in people aged >60 years, and its characteristics remain unknown.

METHODS

We divided 600 IgAN patients into three groups: advanced-age group (AAG, n=31, ≥60 years); middle-aged group (MAG, n=162, 40-59 years); and young-aged group (YAG, n=407, 20-39 years). We analyzed clinical and histological background, renal outcome, and risk of progression.

RESULTS

In the AAG, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the number of hypertensive patients were significantly higher than in the YAG. Total protein, serum albumin, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were significantly lower, and blood urea nitrogen, proteinuria, and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase were significantly higher in the AAG than in MAG and YAG. In histological findings, interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy by Oxford classification and arteriosclerosis were more severe in the AAG than the in YAG. Renal survival rate analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method was significantly lower in the AAG (22.9%/19 years in the AAG vs. 69.2 and 84.9%/20 years in the MAG and YAG, p<0.0001). The patients who progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the AAG had higher MAP and more severe proteinuria compared with the patients who did not progress to ESRD in the AAG.

CONCLUSIONS

The characteristics of IgAN in advanced-age were lower renal function, high levels of proteinuria, severe interstitial change, and arteriolosclerosis caused by glomerulopathy and concomitant diseases, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperuricemia. Prognosis was poor, and >70% developed ESRD within 20 years.

Tonsillectomy for IgA nephropathy: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of tonsillectomy in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) remains controversial. Our meta-analysis was intended to investigate its efficacy as an adjunct or independent treatment.

STUDY DESIGN

Meta-analysis of prospective and retrospective studies using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.

SETTING & POPULATION

Patients with IgAN treated with or without tonsillectomy.

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES

Studies that compared clinical remission or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with IgAN with or without tonsillectomy.

INTERVENTION

Tonsillectomy.

OUTCOMES

Clinical remission and ESRD.

RESULTS

14 studies (1,794 patients) were included and a random-effects model was applied. There were significantly greater odds of clinical remission with tonsillectomy (10 studies, 1,431 patients; pooled OR, 3.40; 95% CI, 2.58-4.48; P<0.001). Sensitivity analysis to exclude the effects of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors yielded consistent results (6 studies, 671 patients; pooled OR for remission, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.91-4.09; P<0.001). In subgroup analysis of the remission outcome, tonsillectomy plus steroid pulse therapy was superior to steroid pulse therapy alone (7 studies, 783 patients; pooled OR, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.99-5.01; P<0.001), and tonsillectomy plus conventional steroid therapy was superior to conventional steroid therapy alone (2 studies, 159 patients; pooled OR, 4.13; 95% CI, 1.23-13.94; P=0.02). Tonsillectomy was superior to general treatment (3 studies, 187 patients; pooled OR for remission, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.20-4.05; P=0.01). In addition, tonsillectomy was associated with decreased odds of ESRD (9 studies, 873 patients; pooled OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.12-0.52; P<0.001). 2 sensitivity analyses, one excluding studies with less than 5 years' follow-up and another excluding the confounding effect of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, yielded nearly the same reduction in ESRD risk (6 studies, 691 patients; pooled OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.11-0.36; P<0.001; and 6 studies, 547 patients; pooled OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.14-0.44; P<0.001).

LIMITATIONS

Most included studies were retrospective cohort studies; we were unable to adjust uniformly for potential confounding variables.

CONCLUSIONS

As adjunct or independent therapy, tonsillectomy may induce clinical remission and reduce the rates of ESRD in patients with IgAN.

Effect of tonsillectomy and its timing on renal outcomes in Caucasian IgA nephropathy patients

PURPOSE

The role of tonsillectomy in the treatment of IgA nephropathy in Caucasian patients is controversial.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 264 patients with biopsy-proven primary IgA nephropathy to examine the association between tonsillectomy and long-term renal survival, defined as the incidence of estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) of ≤30 ml/min/1.73 m(2) or end-stage renal disease (the composite of initiation of dialysis treatment or renal transplantation). The association of tonsillectomy with renal end-points was examined using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox models.

RESULTS

One-hundred and sixty-six patients did not undergo tonsillectomy (Group I, follow-up 130 ± 101 months) and 98 patients underwent tonsillectomy (Group II, follow-up 170 ± 124 months). The mean renal survival time was significantly longer for both end-points between those patients who underwent tonsillectomy (Group II) versus patients without tonsillectomy (Group I) (p < 0.001 and p = 0.005). The mean renal survival time was significantly longer for both end-points between those patients who had macrohaematuric episodes versus patients who had no macrohaematuric episodes (p = 0.035 and p = 0.019). Tonsillectomy, baseline eGFR and 24-h proteinuria were independent risk factors for both renal end-points.

CONCLUSION

Tonsillectomy may delay the progression of IgA nephropathy mainly in IgA nephropathy patients with macrohaematuria. Prospective investigation of the protective role of tonsillectomy in Caucasian patients is needed.

Prognosis in IgA nephropathy: 30-year analysis of 1,012 patients at a single center in Japan

Background

Little is known about the long-term prognosis of patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

Methods

This retrospective cohort analysis evaluated clinical and histological findings at the time of renal biopsy, initial treatment, patient outcomes over 30 years, and risk factors associated with progression in 1,012 patients diagnosed with IgAN at our center since 1974.

Results

Of the 1,012 patients, 40.5% were male. Mean patient age was 33±12 years and mean blood pressure was 122±17/75±13 mmHg. Mean serum creatinine concentration was 0.89±0.42 mg/dL, and mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 78.5±26.2 ml/min/1.73 m². Mean proteinuria was 1.19±1.61 g/day, and mean urinary red blood cells were 36.6±35.3/high-powered field. Histologically, mesangial hypercellularity was present in 47.6% of patients, endothelial hypercellularity in 44.3%, segmental sclerosis in 74.6%, and tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis in 28.8% by Oxford classification. Initial treatment consisted of corticosteroids in 26.9% of patients, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor in 28.9%, and tonsillectomy plus steroids in 11.7%. The 10-, 20-, and 30-year renal survival rates were 84.3, 66.6, and 50.3%, respectively. Tonsillectomy plus steroids dramatically improved renal outcome. Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that higher proteinuria, lower eGFR, and higher uric acid at the time of renal biopsy were independent risk factors for the development of end stage renal disease (ESRD).

Conclusions

IgAN is not a benign disease, with about 50% of patients progressing to ESRD within 30 years despite treatment.

Comparison of prednisolone and lamivudine combined therapy with prednisolone monotherapy on carriers of hepatitis B virus with IgA nephropathy: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier status has a critical impact on clinical management of patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) who are treated with corticosteroids, because corticosteroids may enhance HBV replication. This study compared corticosteroids and antivirals combined therapy with corticosteroids monotherapy on patients of IgAN who were also HBV carriers.

METHODS

This was a prospective, open-label cohort study on Chinese adults of HBV inactive carriers with concurrent IgAN (proteinuria ≥ 3.5 g/day). The patients were self-assigned to combined therapy group (prednisolone + lamivudine) or monotherapy group (prednisolone). Prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day for 2 months, tapered gradually, duration 12 months. Lamivudine (100 mg/day) was administrated 2 weeks before starting prednisolone and maintained 6 months after prednisolone withdrawal. All patients were followed up for 18 months. Outcome measures were rates of complete remission of proteinuria (<0.5 g/day), persistent massive proteinuria (≥ 3.5 g/day), HBV reactivation (detectable serum HBV-DNA or HBeAg), and significant alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation (>120 μ/L).

RESULTS

Except 3 patients were lost to follow-up, 46 patients (29 of combined therapy group, 17 of monotherapy group) were included in the analysis. There were no differences in baseline characteristics of clinical and histopathological features between two groups (p > 0.05). At the end of follow-up, 19/29 (65.52 %) in combined therapy group and 9/17 (52.94 %) in monotherapy group achieved complete remission of proteinuria (p = 0.399), while 0/29 (0 %) and 2/17 (11.76 %) remained persistent massive proteinuria (p = 0.059). HBV reactivation and significant ALT elevation was 3/17 (17.65 %) of patients in monotherapy group, more than 0/29 (0 %) of combined therapy group (p = 0.019). Three HBV recurrent patients using prednisolone monotherapy were all male and young, with relatively short term of HBV infection history, HBV reactivation and severe liver impairment developed after 3 months of corticosteroids treatment, and daily proteinuria increased remarkably after prednisolone withdrawal.

CONCLUSIONS

This study successfully treated with combined lamivudine and prednisolone in inactive HBV carriers with IgAN. We believe the combination of prednisolone and lamivudine was more efficacious than prednisolone alone in providing long-term viral suppression and liver enzyme normalization in inactive HBV carrier with IgAN.

Comparison between consecutive and intermittent steroid pulse therapy combined with tonsillectomy for clinical remission of IgA nephropathy

BACKGROUND

In recent years, tonsillectomy and steroid pulse (TSP) therapy have been widely performed in Japan. However, there is no consensus about the treatment protocol and indication.

METHODS

In this retrospective analysis, we compared patients who received tonsillectomy plus intermittent steroid pulse (SP) therapy three times in 6 months (ISP group, n = 44) with patients who received tonsillectomy plus 3 weeks of consecutive SP therapy (CSP group, n = 46) within 1 year after renal biopsy. These two different protocols were performed at two different institutions. We analyzed the clinical and histological background and clinical remission (CR), defined as disappearance of urine abnormalities at 18 months after starting treatment.

RESULTS

Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the clinical findings except for sex between the two groups. In ISP group and CSP group, mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 82.1 ± 20.9 and 85.9 ± 19.1 ml/min/1.73 m(2), median proteinuria was 0.55 and 0.56 g/day, and median urinary red blood cells were 20 (10-20) and 20 (6-30)/high power filed. The histological (H) grade was lower in the CSP than the ISP group (p = 0.022). The remission rate of proteinuria, hematuria, and rate of CR by the Kaplan-Meier method and logrank test were significantly higher in the CSP group than in the ISP group (CSP vs. ISP group; proteinuria: 97.8 vs. 77.3 %, p < 0.001, hematuria: 97.8 vs. 75.0 %, p = 0.005, CR: 95.6 vs. 63.6 %, p < 0.001). In the Cox proportional hazard model (forced entry), SP protocol and proteinuria before treatment were significantly associated with CR [SP protocol: hazard ratio (HR) 2.50, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.46-4.30, p = 0.001, proteinuria: HR 0.81, 95 % CI 0.68-0.96, p = 0.013)]. However H-grade was associated with remission of proteinuria (H-grade: hazard ratio (HR) 0.56, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.37-0.85, p = 0.006), and this result meant histological bias affected the remission of proteinuria.

CONCLUSIONS

The difference of the protocol of TSP therapy may have some effect on the CR of IgAN, though the histological bias was observed in this study. The appropriate protocol and indication of TSP therapy must be analyzed and determined in the randomized controlled trial.