Meta-analysis of antiplatelet therapy for IgA nephropathy.
BACKGROUND
Antiplatelet agents have been widely used in the management of immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy in the Japanese population. To systematically evaluate the effects of antiplatelet agents for IgA nephropathy, we conducted a meta-analysis of the published studies.


METHODS
Data sources consisted of MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Ityu-shi (Japanese medical database), and bibliographies from the studies. The quality of the studies was evaluated from the intention to treat analysis and allocation concealment, as well as by the Jadad method. Meta-analyses were performed on the outcomes of proteinuria and renal function.


RESULTS
Seven articles met the predetermined inclusion criteria. The use of antiplatelet agents showed statistically significant effects on proteinuria and renal function. The pooled risk ratio for proteinuria was 0.61 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.39-0.94) and for renal function it was 0.74 (95% CI 0.63-0.87).


CONCLUSIONS
Antiplatelet agents resulted in reduced proteinuria and protected renal function in patients with IgA nephropathy. However, studies of high-quality design were rare, and most studies assessed surrogate outcomes. More properly designed studies are needed to reach a definitive assessment of this matter.
Taji
Yoshinori
Y
Division of General Internal Medicine, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
Kuwahara
Takashi
T
Shikata
Satoru
S
Morimoto
Takeshi
T
D004109:Dilazep / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004176:Dipyridamole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000188:drug therapy; D014292:Trimetazidine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D004176:Dipyridamole; D004109:Dilazep; D014292:Trimetazidine