IgA nephropathy in psoriasis

Psoriasis and Lupus Erythematosus-Similarities and Differences between Two Autoimmune Diseases

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and psoriasis (Ps) are two clinically distinct diseases with different pathogenesis. However, recent studies indicate some similarities in both clinical presentation and pathogenetic mechanisms. The coexistence of both entities is very uncommon and has not been fully elucidated. Thus, it remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. In fact, drugs used in SLE can induce psoriatic lesions, whereas phototherapy effective in Ps is an important factor provoking skin lesions in patients with SLE. The aim of this work is to discuss in detail the common pathogenetic elements and the therapeutic options effective in both diseases.

A case of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis associated with psoriasis vulgaris

Background

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the skin; the hallmark of psoriasis is sustained inflammation that leads to uncontrolled keratinocyte proliferation and dysfunctional differentiation. Psoriasis shows clear autoimmune-related pathomechanisms, in which autoantigen-specific T cells contribute to the development, chronification, and overall course of the disease. Psoriasis is primarily a skin disease, but other internal organs may be involved; affliction of the joints is well established, but kidney involvement is yet to be universally agreed upon, although some recent studies have linked psoriasis to kidney disease and certain glomerular diseases including secondary renal amyloidosis, Ig A nephropathy, and membranous glomerulopathy.

Case presentation and conclusion

In this paper, we report a case of primary membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) with nephrotic impure syndrome in a psoriatic patient. The etiological investigation was negative with normal serum complement and ASO titers and were negative for HBV, HCV, HIV, and ANA. The patient improved on prednisolone and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. To our best of knowledge, cases of MPGN associated with psoriasis are rare and we would like to shed light on this association.

Tofacitinib combined with leflunomide for treatment of psoriatic arthritis with IgA nephropathy: a case report with literature review

Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease that is associated with increased risk of several diseases, such as psoriatic arthritis (PsA), inflammatory bowel disease, and cardiovascular diseases. About 20 to 30% patients with psoriasis subsequently develop PsA. IgA nephropathy is the most common primary glomerular disease world-wide. Psoriasis and IgA nephropathy appear to be associated, but the mechanism underlying this connection is unclear. Tofacitinib and leflunomide are common treatments for psoriatic arthritis. We administered tofacitinib combined with leflunomide to a 38-year-old female patient who presented with PsA and IgA nephropathy. After treatment, she experienced significant reductions in the psoriatic lesions, pain in the right knee joint, and proteinuria. Administration of tofacitinib combined with leflunomide for treatment of a patient who had PsA complicated with IgA nephropathy led to significant resolution of the symptoms of both conditions. These results suggest similarities in the pathogenesis of PsA and IgA nephropathy and a possible new treatment for IgA nephropathy.

Severe psoriasis presenting with rapidly progressive (crescentic) IgA-predominant glomerulonephritis

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is commonly associated with psoriasis; however, psoriasis presenting with crescentic IgAN is uncommon. A 49-year-old man with erythrodermic psoriasis with arthritis and stage 2 chronic kidney disease presented to the emergency department with worsening peripheral oedema and difficulty breathing. The patient had been hospitalised previously for a psoriasis flare. He was found to have an acute kidney injury on chronic kidney disease and was diagnosed with crescentic IgA glomerulonephritis on his first hospitalisation. He was treated with corticosteroids and was discharged stable with a plan to start cyclophosphamide in the outpatient setting. On his current hospitalisation, cyclophosphamide was added to his corticosteroids. Crescentic IgAN is rare. Its management has been based largely on observational studies. Our case highlights the importance of starting combined corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide early in crescentic IgAN and that corticosteroid monotherapy is insufficient in controlling disease progression.

"Associated" or "Secondary" IgA nephropathy? An outcome analysis

BACKGROUND

Whether differences in outcome between primary (pIgAN) and secondary IgA nephropathy (sIgAN) exist is uncertain.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, observational study that included all histologically diagnosed IgAN patients between 2010-2017 (N = 306), 248 with pIgAN and 58 with sIgAN. To obtain samples with similar risk of progression, sIgAN patients were grouped as liver disease and autoimmune/viral disease and propensity score matched to corresponding pIgAN samples. Univariate (Kaplan Meier) and multivariate time-dependent (Cox modelling) analyses were performed to identify predictors of the composite end-point (doubling of serum creatinine, end-stage kidney disease or death).

RESULTS

Of the whole cohort, 20% had sIgAN (6% alcoholic cirrhosis, 6% autoimmune disease and 8% viral infections). sIgAN patients were older, had more comorbidities, lower proteinuria and higher haematuria, but similar distribution in MESTC lesions and eGFR as those with pIgAN. They reached the end-point in similar proportions with those with pIgAN (43 vs. 30%; p = 0.09) but their mortality was higher (19 vs. 3%; p<0.0001). Both in unmatched (HR 0.80, 95%CI 0.42-1.52; p = 0.5) and matched samples (log-rank test: liver disease-IgAN vs. pIgAN, p = 0.1; autoimmune/viral-IgAN vs. pIgAN, p = 0.3), sIgAN was not predictive for end-point. In analyses restricted only to sIgAN, those with viral infections (HR, 10.98; 95% CI, 1.12-107.41; p = 0.03) and lower eGFR (HR, 0.94; 95%CI, 0.89-0.98; p = 0.007) had a worse prognosis. Immunosuppression did not influence outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The differences in MESTC score and outcome between pIgAN and sIgAN seems to be minimal, suggesting that "associated" describes better than "secondary" the relationship among the two. Immunosuppression did not to influence outcome of sIgAN.

IgA nephropathy associated with erythrodermic psoriasis: A case report

RATIONALE

Cases about IgAN associated with EP are rare and the pathogenesis is poorly understood. We reported a 74-year-old Chinese male who suffered the IgAN and EP at the same time and explored a possible pathophysiologic link and points toward the possible pathogenesis.

PATIENT CONCERNS

The patient complained deteriorating symptoms (erythrodermia, skin pruritus, and pain) of psoriasis and obvious pitting edema on his legs.

DIAGNOSIS

The patient was diagnosed as IgAN and EP concurrently according to medical history, physical examination, laboratory test, and pathology.

INTERVENTIONS

Intravenous dexamethasone (5 mg/day) and oral ciclosporin (200 mg twice a day).

OUTCOMES

The patient's symptoms of psoriasis and IgA nephropathy improved obviously after 11-day treatment and discharged from the hospital.

LESSONS

IgAN should be considered when the patient is diagnosed as EP. The combination of dexamethasone and ciclosporin may be effective option for patients with IgAN and EP concurrently.

A case of secondary IgA nephropathy accompanied by psoriasis treated with secukinumab

A 60-year-old man was diagnosed with psoriasis 4 years ago. Treatment with adalimumab (a monoclonal anti-TNF-α antibody) became ineffective 1 year ago, and proteinuria and urinary occult blood were detected. Treatment with topical medicine, ultraviolet therapy, and etretinate resulted in remission of psoriasis, and proteinuria and hematuria also improved. For maintenance of remission, treatment with secukinumab (a human anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody) was initiated. After the induction phase, treatment was changed from once a week to once every 4 weeks. After 5 months, he developed nephritis with kidney dysfunction, hematuria, and severe proteinuria (14 g/g Cr) accompanied by pitting edema. After admission, treatment with secukinumab was continued. Kidney biopsy revealed IgA nephropathy with fibrocellular crescents, and immunofluorescence analysis did not detect galactose-deficient IgA1. With these findings, he was diagnosed as secondary IgA nephropathy associated with psoriasis. Tonsillectomy followed by steroid pulse therapy prevented proteinuria and kidney function. In this case, treatment of refractory psoriasis with secukinumab and tonsillectomy was effective, leading to remission of relapsing secondary IgA nephropathy. Therefore, secukinumab might play an immunological role in the treatment of nephropathy.

IgA nephropathy during treatment with TNF-alpha blockers: Could it be predicted?

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) may sometimes be related to exposure to pharmacological agents, among which anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-alpha agents. The characteristic pathological feature is a deposition of IgA-containing immune complexes in vessel walls in the kidney mesangium. The link between TNF-alpha blockers and IgAN may be hypothesized examining diseases which share pathologic features. In this respect, idiopathic IgAN and Henoch Schonlein Purpura have been the object of studies revealing a pathogenetic role of aberrant glycosylation of IgA1 molecules. The Authors suggest that anti-drug antibodies against glycan structures of TNF-alpha inhibitors may cross react against serum aberrant IgA1 leading to large antigen-antibody complexes. These large polymeric IgA complexes are then able to deposit in the mesangium and activate the complement cascade. Such hypothesis may be tested by measuring serum levels of galactose-deficient IgA1 of patients developing IgAN following introduction of TNF-alpha blockers. Such a test would be useful also before administration of anti-TNF alpha agents. The presence of aberrant IgA1 may represent a contraindication for treatment with TNF blockers.

Psoriatic Arthritis Is an Indicator of Significant Renal Damage in Patients with Psoriasis: An Observational and Epidemiological Study

Background. Psoriasis affects joints in around 30% of the patients. Recent studies have demonstrated an increased risk of essential hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and stroke in psoriatic patients. However, the prevalence of renal disease in patients with psoriasis has not been evaluated properly. Objectives. Objectives were to evaluate renal functions in patients with psoriasis and to assess any possible relationship of renal failure with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 30 participants were recruited into the following three groups: group-A, psoriatic arthritis; group-B, psoriasis without arthritis; and group-C, healthy subjects. Renal function tests were performed for every participant of each group. The data was analyzed by using SPSS version 16. Chi-squared and one-way ANOVA tests were applied, considering a P value of less than 0.05 as a standard criterion. Results. Serum creatinine, urea, and phosphate were the highest in group-A, higher in group-B, and normal in group-C, P < 0.05. Similarly, GFR was the lowest in group-A, lower in group-B, and normal in group-C. The difference in mean GFR values was statistically significant, F(2) = 355, P < 0.001. Moreover, proteinuria (gm/day) was seen in 96.7% of the patients with psoriatic arthritis, (M = 1.18 ± 0.55, P < 0.05) against 10% of the psoriatic patients without arthritis (M = 0.41 ± 0.10, P < 0.05). Conclusion. Derangement of renal function is more prevalent in psoriatic patients, especially in those with concomitant psoriatic arthritis. Therefore, each psoriatic patient must be routinely screened for an underlying renal failure.

Risk of moderate to advanced kidney disease in patients with psoriasis: population based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the risk of chronic kidney disease in patients with psoriasis.

DESIGN

Population based cohort study and nested cross sectional study.

SETTING

Electronic medical records database based in United Kingdom.

PARTICIPANTS

Cohort study: patients with psoriasis aged 18-90 each matched to up to five patients without psoriasis based on age, practice, and time of visit. Nested study: patients with psoriasis aged 25-64 with confirmed data on psoriasis severity, each matched to up to 10 patients without psoriasis based on age and practice.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Cohort study: incident moderate to advanced (stage 3 through 5) chronic kidney disease. Nested study: baseline prevalence of chronic kidney disease.

RESULTS

136,529 patients with mild psoriasis and 7354 patients with severe psoriasis based on treatment patterns were matched to 689,702 unaffected patients. The adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for incident chronic kidney disease were 1.05 (1.02 to 1.07), 0.99 (0.97 to 1.02), and 1.93 (1.79 to 2.08) in the overall, mild, and severe psoriasis groups, respectively. Age was a significant effect modifier in the severe psoriasis group, with age specific adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 3.82 (3.15 to 4.64) and 2.00 (1.86 to 2.17) for patients aged 30 and 60, respectively. In the nested analysis of 8731 patients with psoriasis with measurements of affected body surface area matched to 87,310 patients without psoriasis, the adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for chronic kidney disease were 0.89 (0.72 to 1.10), 1.36 (1.06 to 1.74), and 1.58 (1.07 to 2.34) in the mild, moderate, and severe psoriasis groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate to severe psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease independent of traditional risk factors.

Rare association of immunoglobulin A nephropathy and lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. The pathogenesis is still unknown and newer treatments are being researched. Rarely, it can be associated with other disorders. Its association with hereditary lymphedema has been reported on one occasion but never with lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome. We report a patient with hereditary lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome and immunoglobulin A nephropathy occurring simultaneously.

IgA nephropathy in a girl with psoriasis and seronegative arthritis

IgA nephropathy is one of the most common forms of glomerulonephritis, but the coexistence of IgA nephropathy and psoriasis is very rare, especially in children. Herein we report the case of an 8-year-old girl with both psoriasis and IgA nephropathy who responded to treatment with cyclosporine A for both conditions.

Lipoprotein glomerulopathy associated with psoriasis vulgaris: report of 2 cases with apolipoprotein E3/3

Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG) is a rare disease, characterized by a special histology, including dilated glomerular capillaries filled with pale-stained and meshlike lipoprotein thrombi. It always presents with proteinuria or nephrotic syndrome. Although hyperlipidemia is not always seen, most patients have type III hyperlipoproteinemia with apolipoprotein (apo) E2/3 phenotyping. Although the clinical feature of LPG is rarely described, LPG associated with other glomerulopathy, including IgA nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, and lupus nephritis, has been documented. Until now, there have been no reports of psoriasis vulgaris associated with LPG. The authors present 2 cases of LPG with apo E3/3 genotyping associated with psoriasis vulgaris. The first patient was a 65-year-old woman who presented with nephrotic syndrome with daily urinary protein loss of 9.05 g and itchy erythematous scaly plaques on her trunk and lower limbs for 1 year. The renal biopsy results showed LPG, and the skin biopsy results showed psoriasis. The second patient was a 50-year-old man with history of psoriasis over his trunk and 4 limbs for 30 years. He also presented with nephrotic syndrome with daily urinary protein loss of 7.55 g. The renal biopsy results also showed LPG. The genotype of apo E showed E3/3, and lipoprotein electrophoresis showed a type III hyperlipoproteinemia-like pattern in both cases. The authors suggest that presence of apo E3/3 genotype cannot rule out the diagnosis of type III hyperlipoproteinemia and LPG. Besides, LPG should be included in the differential diagnosis of psoriatic patients with nephrotic syndrome, especially in Asian patients who show poor response to traditional therapy. Renal biopsy should be performed to make the definitive diagnosis.