title: Interventions for steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome: a systematic review.
abstract: In a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT), we aimed to evaluate the benefits and harms of all interventions for children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). Nine RCTs involving 225 children were included. Cyclosporin when compared with placebo or no treatment significantly increased the number of children who achieved complete remission [3 trials, 49 children, relative risk (RR) for persistent nephrotic syndrome 0.64, 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.47-0.88]. There was no significant difference in the number of children who achieved complete remission between oral cyclophosphamide with prednisone and prednisone alone [2 trials, 91 children, RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.74-1.36], between intravenous cyclophosphamide and oral cyclophosphamide [1 study, 11 children, RR 0.09, 95% CI 0.01-1.39], and between azathioprine with prednisone and prednisone alone [1 trial, 31 children, RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.77-1.32]. No RCTs were identified comparing combination regimens comprising high-dose steroids, alkylating agents or cyclosporin with single agents, placebo, or no treatment. Further adequately powered and well-designed RCTs are needed to confirm the efficacy of cyclosporin and to evaluate regimens of high-dose steroids with alkylating agents or cyclosporin for SRNS.
authors.affiliation: Center for Kidney Research and Cochrane Renal Group, NHMRC Center for Clinical Research Excellence, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, NSW 2145 Westmead, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Doaa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Habashy
authors.forename: Elisabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hodson
authors.forename: Jonathan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Craig
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011241:Prednisone