Randomised controlled trial of leflunomide in the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of leflunomide for treatment of immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy.


METHODS
Sixty IgA nephropathy patients were divided into two groups at random. Patients in the test group received leflunomide and patients in the control group received fosinopril. Clinical data were obtained at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28.


RESULTS
The complete remission rate was 62.1% and the total effectiveness rate was 72.4%. In the leflunomide group, proteinuria significantly decreased from 1.66 +/- 0.42 g to 0.60 +/- 0.68 g (P < 0.05). The efficacy rate of leflunomide compared with fosinopril in treating IgA nephropathy was not statistically different (P > 0.05). Side-effects were mild in both treatment groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary results are encouraging, but further randomised studies are required before leflunomide can be recommended for the treatment of IgA nephropathy.
Lou
Tanqi
T
Department of Nephrology, Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Science, Guangzhou, China. aijh_2000@hotmail.com
Wang
Cheng
C
Chen
Zhujiang
Z
Shi
Chenggang
C
Tang
Hua
H
Liu
Xun
X
Yin
Peida
P
Yu
Xueqing
X