title: Factors influencing cardiovascular risk following termination of glucocorticoid therapy for nephrotic syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study attempted to identify the cardiovascular risk factors associated with retention of excess weight following termination of glucocorticoid therapy in children with nephrotic syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective study of 30 Japanese children (18 males, 12 females, aged 1-14 years) who had been treated with glucocorticoids for steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome and 32 control children (17 males, 15 females, aged 1-15 years). The subjects receiving glucocorticoid therapy were divided into a retention group (n = 14) or a reduction group (n = 16) on the basis of the presence or absence of a maintained body mass index (BMI) following glucocorticoid termination. BMI z-scores, age, gender, blood pressure, serum total cholesterol levels (T-cho), and the dose and duration of glucocorticoid exposure were evaluated in each group during the study period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The retention group had a significantly (P < 0.05) increased dose and duration of glucocorticoid exposure, and of T-cho at the time of last visit compared with the control or reduction group. Moreover, logistic regression analysis showed that the adjusted odds ratio for T-cho at the time of last visit in the retention group was significantly higher (P < 0.05) relative to the reduction group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retention of excess weight during the period of remission from nephrotic syndrome following cessation of glucocorticoid therapy was related to the dose and duration of glucocorticoid exposure and was associated with hyperlipidemia, which might enhance cardiovascular risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan. akio@med.teikyo-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Ryo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Niimi
authors.forename: Kumiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kurosaki
authors.forename: Yukishige
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yanagawa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids