title: Corticotherapy response in primary IgA nephropathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some beneficial effects from long-term use of corticosteroids have been reported in patients with IgA nephropathy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the outcome of proteinuria and renal function according to a protocol based on a 6-month course of steroid treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients were treated with 1 g/day intravenous methylprednisolone for 3 consecutive days at the beginning of months 1, 3, and 5 plus 0.5 mg/kg oral prednisone on alternate days for 6 months (treated group). The control group included 9 untreated patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Proteinuria (median and 25th and 75th percentiles) at baseline in the treated group was 1861 mg/24h (1518; 2417 mg/24h) and was 703 mg/24h (245; 983) and 684 mg/24h (266; 1023) at the 6th (p < 0.05 vs. baseline) and 12th months (p < 0.05 vs. baseline), respectively. In the control group the proteinuria was 1900 mg/24h (1620; 3197) at baseline and was 2290 mg/24h (1500; 2975) and 1600 mg/24h (1180; 2395) at the 6th and 12th months, respectively (not significant vs. baseline). When compared with the control group, the treated group showed lower proteinuria (p < 0.05) during the follow-up and a higher number of patients in remission (p < 0.05) at the 6th and 12th months. Renal function did not change during the follow-up and the adverse effects were mild in most of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 6-month course of steroid treatment was effective in reducing proteinuria during the 12 months of the follow-up, and was well-tolerated by most of the patients.
authors.affiliation: Hospital das Clínicas, FMRP, USP.
authors.forename: Natália
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Novaretti
authors.forename: Gyl Eanes Barros
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Roberto Silva
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moysés Neto
authors.forename: Osvaldo Merege
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Vieira Neto
authors.forename: Elen Almeida
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Romão
authors.forename: Eduardo Barbosa
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.forename: Márcio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dantas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011241:Prednisone; D008775:Methylprednisolone