title: Treatment practices of FSGS among North American pediatric nephrologists.
abstract: A survey of North American pediatric nephrologists was conducted to assess the variability in the treatment of primary steroid-resistant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) of native kidneys. The most widely used immunosuppressive drug was cyclosporin A, with 73.9% using it often or sometimes. Only 44.3% used intravenous methylprednisolone combined with an alkylating agent at least sometimes; the use of methylprednisolone without cytotoxic drugs was slightly more common. Prolonged oral steroid therapy (>3 months) was used often or sometimes by 50.3%. The use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors was very common, while lipid-lowering agents were rarely used. The variability in the treatment of FSGS most likely results from lack of evidence-based information and underscores the need for controlled pediatric multicenter treatment trials.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans, USA.
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Vehaskari
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005923:Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009656:North America; D013256:Steroids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000477:Alkylating Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013256:Steroids; D016572:Cyclosporine; D008775:Methylprednisolone