An "evidence-based" survey of therapeutic options for IgA nephropathy: assessment and criticism.
BACKGROUND
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy is a worldwide disease that causes end-stage renal failure in 15% to 20% of patients within 10 years of the apparent onset of disease and in 30% to 40% of individuals within 20 years. Severity of renal lesions, serum creatinine level, and severe proteinuria are adverse prognostic indicators. No specific treatment has been established, but several approaches have been experimented.


METHODS
We reviewed the literature and evaluated the quality of published randomized trials using standard methods and the quality of their reporting according to the revised version of the Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials Statement. Meta-analyses of randomized trials on the efficacy of steroid treatment, cytotoxic agents, and fish oils on the outcome of renal function and daily proteinuria in patients with IgA nephropathy were performed.


RESULTS
Only 10 randomized trials were available and included in the review. Their quality was very poor, and a limited amount of data was reported. Cytotoxic agents seem beneficial on both renal function (relative risk, 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22 to 0.66) and daily proteinuria (weighted mean difference [WMD], -1.16; 95% CI, -2.18 to -0.14) in patients with moderate to severe renal damage, steroids act mainly on proteinuria (WMD, -0.50; 95% CI, -0.78 to -0.21), and fish oils do not imply a particular benefit. This statement is based on the very limited and poor available published evidence.


CONCLUSIONS
Only a few randomized trials, of low quality and inadequately reported, are available relating to treatment of IgA nephropathy. More properly designed and reported trials are necessary to reach a definitive assessment of this matter.
Strippoli
Giovanni F M
GF
Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Section of Nephrology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Manno
Carlo
C
Schena
Francesco P
FP
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015706:Bibliometrics; D002648:Child; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000477:Alkylating Agents; D005395:Fish Oils; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents