Dataset Information

Practice variations in the management of childhood nephrotic syndrome in the Netherlands.

ABSTRACT: Nephrotic syndrome in childhood is a common entity in the field of pediatric nephrology. The optimal treatment of children with nephrotic syndrome is often debated. Previously conducted studies have shown significant variability in nephrotic syndrome management, especially in the choice of steroid-sparing drugs. In the Netherlands, a practice guideline on the management of childhood nephrotic syndrome has been available since 2010. The aim of this study was to identify practice variations and opportunities to improve clinical practice of childhood nephrotic syndrome in the Netherlands. A digital structured survey among Dutch pediatricians and pediatric nephrologists was performed, including questions regarding the initial treatment, relapse treatment, kidney biopsy, additional immunosuppressive treatment, and supportive care. Among the 51 responses, uniformity was seen in the management of a first presentation and first relapse. Wide variation was found in the tapering of steroids after alternate day dosing. Most pediatricians and pediatric nephrologists (83%) would perform a kidney biopsy in case of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, whereas for frequent relapsing and steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome this was 22% and 41%, respectively. Variation was reported in the steroid-sparing treatment. Finally, significant differences were present in the supportive treatment of nephrotic syndrome.Conclusion: Substantial variation was present in the management of nephrotic syndrome in the Netherlands. Differences were identified in steroid tapering, use of steroid coverage during stress, choice of steroid-sparing agents, and biopsy practice. To promote guideline adherence and reduce practice variation, factors driving this variation should be assessed and resolved. What is Known: • National and international guidelines are available to guide the management of childhood nephrotic syndrome. • Several aspects of the management of childhood nephrotic syndrome, including the choice of steroid-sparing drugs and biopsy practice, are controversial and often debated among physicians. What is New: • Significant practice variation is present in the management of childhood nephrotic syndrome in the Netherlands, especially in the treatment of FRNS, SDNS, and SRNS. • The recommendation on the steroid treatment of a first episode of nephrotic syndrome in the KDIGO guideline leaves room for interpretation and is likely the cause of substantial differences in steroid-tapering practices among Dutch pediatricians and pediatric nephrologists.

SUBMITTER: Schijvens AM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8105198 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundIdiopathic nephrotic syndrome has a relapsing-remitting course in the majority of pediatric patients, demanding vigilant monitoring and self-management. A novel, expert-designed, user-informed mobile application (app), UrApp©, was created to support management tasks, including home urine protein monitoring.MethodsThe UrApp Pilot Study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04075656) is a randomized trial comparing UrApp-supported nephrotic syndrome management with standard-of-care with parallel process evaluation of the intervention delivery. Sixty caregivers of children with newly diagnosed, steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome will be randomized 1:1 to UrApp-supported care or standard-of-care. Follow-up will be 1 year, with primary outcomes of adherence to urine monitoring and medications assessed at 6 and 12 months. Secondary outcomes at 6 and 12 months include self-efficacy, quality-of-life, hospitalizations and delayed relapse diagnoses. A mixed-methods approach will evaluate UrApp engagement, use retention, features used, user perceptions, and contextual barriers and facilitators of UrApp use. User behavior will be assessed for relationships to the primary and secondary outcomes. A Stakeholder Committee of volunteer trial participants, clinicians, and engineers will examine the trial results and design a pragmatic UrApp-enhanced nephrotic syndrome intervention with potential for wide implementation. The final UrApp intervention will be tested in a user-centered hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial designed with stakeholder input.DiscussionThe UrApp Pilot Study examines the efficacy of a novel app designed specifically for nephrotic syndrome. The protocol involves dual efficacy and process evaluation aims to increase efficiency and incorporates the stakeholders' perspective in formative assessment to inform intervention redesign and the design of a future user-centered trial.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04075656. Registered on September 2, 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04075656.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is one of the most frequent occurring chronic kidney diseases in childhood, despite its rarely occurrence in the general population. Detailed information about clinical data of NS (e.g. average length of stay, complications) as well as of secondary nephrotic syndrome (SNS) is not well known. METHODS:A nationwide ESPED follow-up study presenting the clinical course and management of children with NS in Germany. RESULTS:In course of 2?years, 347 children developed the first onset of NS, hereof 326 patients (93.9%) had a primary NS, and 19 patients had a SNS (missing data in 2 cases), the majority due to a Henoch-Schönlein Purpura. Patients with steroid-resistant NS (SRNS) stayed significantly longer in hospital than children with steroid-sensitive NS (25.2 vs. 13.3 d, p?<? 0.001). Patients with bacterial/viral infections stayed longer in hospital (24.9 d/19.5d) than children without an infection (14.2 d/14.9 d; p?<? 0.001; p?=?0.016). Additionally, children with urinary tract infections (UTI) (p?<?0,001), arterial hypertension (AH) (p?<?0.001) and acute renal failure (ARF) (p?<?0,001) stayed significantly longer in hospital. Patients with SRNS had frequent complications (p?=?0.004), such as bacterial infections (p?=?0.013), AH (p?<?0.001), UTI (p?< 0.001) and ARF (p?=?0.007). Children with a focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) had significantly more complications (p?=?0.04); specifically bacterial infections (p?=?0.01), UTI (p?=?0.003) and AH (p?<?0,001). Steroid-resistance was more common in patients with UTI (p?<?0.001) and in patients with ARF (p?=?0.007). Furthermore, steroid-resistance (p?<?0.001) and FSGS (p?<?0.001) were more common in patients with AH. CONCLUSIONS:This nationwide, largest German study presents results on the clinical course of children with NS considering a diverse range of complications that can occur with NS. The establishment of a region-wide and international pediatric NS register would be useful to conduct further diagnostic and therapy studies with the aim to reduce the complication rate and to improve the prognosis of NS, and to compare the data with international cohorts.

Dataset Information

Practice variations in the management of childhood nephrotic syndrome in the Netherlands.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets