Prediction of relapse by plasma lipoprotein(a) concentration in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify whether plasma lipoproteins, including Lp(a), can predict relapse pattern in the first years after diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome (NS), we evaluated them in patients with steroid-sensitive NS.


METHODS
We analyzed the medical records of 35 patients with steroid-sensitive NS who were seen by us from January 1992 to December 1999 followed for at least 1 year. These patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 20 patients who infrequently relapse (IR: <2 in 6 months or <3 in a year), group 2 consisted of 15 patients who frequently relapse (FR: > or =2 in 6 months or > or =3 in a year). Clinical and laboratory findings such as age at onset, gender, urinalysis, serum level of total protein, albumin, and concentrations of serum lipid including lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) were investigated between group 1 and group 2.


RESULTS
The concentration of plasma Lp(a) in group 2 was higher than that in group 1 (81.0 +/- 35.2 vs. 35.9 +/- 26.5 mg/dl, p < 0.01). On multivariate analysis using logistic regression model, the concentration of plasma Lp(a) was an independent risk factor for relapse of NS.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that of all the laboratory data examined, high values of Lp(a) can predict future relapse of NS and should be well documented.
Kawasaki
Yukihiko
Y
Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan.
Suzuki
Junzo
J
Nozawa
Ruriko
R
Suzuki
Shigeo
S
Suzuki
Hitoshi
H
D000418:Albumins / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D011379:Prognosis; D011507:Proteinuria; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000418:Albumins; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D013256:Steroids