Comparison of the therapeutic effects of leflunomide and mycophenolate mofetil in the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy manifesting with nephrotic syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the therapeutic effects and safety of a combination therapy of leflunomide (LEF) and prednisone for the treatment of immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy manifesting with nephrotic syndrome.


METHODS
40 patients with IgA nephropathy manifesting with nephrotic syndrome were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group was administered with a combination therapy of prednisone and LEF, and the control group with a combination therapy of prednisone and MMF. For the following comparison 24-h urinary protein excretion and the serum levels of albumin, cholesterol, and creatinine before and after the therapy were assessed.


RESULTS
In the treatment group, the medication was markedly effective in 5 cases and effective in 7 cases; the total efficacy rate was 60.0%. In the control group, the treatment was markedly effective in 5 cases and effective in 8 cases; the total efficacy rate was 65.0%. The IgA levels in both groups decreased after therapy. There were no significant differences between the results for the two groups (p > 0.05). The treatments were well tolerated in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
LEF is a safe and effective drug for the treatment of IgA nephropathy manifesting with nephrotic syndrome.
Liu
X W
XW
Department of Nephrology, and 2Information Section, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China. liuxiaow@fmmu.edu.cn
Li
D M
DM
Xu
G S
GS
Sun
S R
SR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077339:Leflunomide; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007555:Isoxazoles; D000077339:Leflunomide; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D011241:Prednisone