Project description:Although change in proteinuria has been proposed as a surrogate for long-term prognosis in membranous nephropathy (MGN), variability in proteinuria levels and lag between these changes and acceptable end points, such as ESRD, has limited its utility. This cohort study examined the prognostic significance of remission duration in 376 patients with biopsy-proven idiopathic/primary MGN who achieved a remission after a period of nephrotic-range proteinuria. We defined complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), and relapse as proteinuria ≤0.3, 0.4-3.4, and ≥3.5 g/d after CR or PR, respectively. The exposure variable was the remission status of patients at fixed landmarks (3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months) after the date of first remission. The primary outcome was ESRD or 50% reduction in eGFR. We fitted Cox proportional hazards models to examine the association of remission status at each landmark and the primary end point. Persistent remission associated with unadjusted hazard ratios for the primary outcome that ranged by landmark from 0.35 (95% confidence interval, 0.20 to 0.61) to 0.56 (95% confidence interval, 0.31 to 1.04). Separate analyses for PR and CR yielded similar results. After adjustment, maintaining remission associated with significantly reduced risk of the primary outcome at all landmarks. Durable remissions associated with improved renal survival. Although the longer the remission, the greater the improvement, patients with remission durations as short as 3 months had improved renal prognosis compared with patients who relapsed. This study validates and quantifies PR and CR as surrogates for long-term outcome in MGN.
Project description:Background:In primary membranous nephropathy (MN), partial remission (PR) (?50% reduction of proteinuria to <3.5 g/d) is associated with a greater risk of relapse and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) compared with complete remission (CR). We aimed to determine factors associated with relapse or renal failure in patients who attain the standard definition of PR. Methods:We captured PR, CR, relapse, and the composite of doubling of serum creatinine or ESKD in a cohort of 267 patients with MN, nephrotic syndrome, and >12 months of follow-up. Characteristics at the time of PR associated with the composite outcome or relapse were evaluated using a time-to-event analysis. Results:A total of 192 patients attained PR and 86 attained CR. Serum albumin at PR (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.58 per 0.5 g/dl decrease from 4.0 g/dl; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-2.43) and duration of nephrotic proteinuria (HR: 1.01 per month increase; 95% CI: 1.00-1.03) were independent risk factors for the composite endpoint. Serum albumin at PR was associated with an increased risk of relapse (HR: 1.58 per 0.5 g/dl decrease below 4.0 g/dl; 95% CI: 1.24-2.01). A cutoff for serum albumin ?3.5 g/dl at PR performed best in predicting relapse and composite outcome. Conclusions:Patients with serum albumin >3.5 g/dl at PR have decreased risk of composite outcome or relapse compared with PR with low albumin. A definition of PR that includes normalization of serum albumin may be a more robust surrogate endpoint in MN than the traditional definition of PR.
Project description:Background and objectivesDifferent rituximab protocols are used to treat membranous nephropathy. We compared two rituximab protocols in patients with membranous nephropathy.Design, setting, participants, & measurementsTwenty-eight participants from the NICE cohort received two infusions of 1-g rituximab at 2-week intervals, whereas 27 participants from the Prospective Randomized Multicentric Open Label Study to Evaluate Rituximab Treatment for Membranous Nephropathy (GEMRITUX) cohort received two infusions of 375 mg/m2 at 1-week interval. We measured serum rituximab levels and compared remission at month 6 and before any treatment modification and analyzed factors associated with remission and relapses.ResultsRemissions occurred in 18 (64%) versus eight (30%) from the NICE and GEMRITUX cohort (P=0.02) at month 6, respectively, and in 24 (86%) versus 18 (67%) participants (P=0.12) before treatment modification, respectively. Median time to remission was 3 [interquartile range (IQR), 3-9] and 9 [IQR, 6-12] months for NICE and GEMRITUX cohorts respectively (P=0.01). Participants from the NICE cohort had higher circulating level of rituximab and lower CD19 counts (3.3 µg/L [IQR, 0.0-10.8] versus 0.0 [IQR, 0.0-0.0] P<0.001 and 0.0 [IQR, 0.0-2.0] versus 16.5 [IQR, 2.5-31.0] P<0.001) at month 3, lower level of anti-PLA2R1 antibodies at month 6 (0.0 [IQR, 0.0-8.0] versus 8.3 [IQR, 0.0-73.5] P=0.03). In the combined study population, lower epitope spreading at diagnosis and higher rituximab levels at month 3 were associated with remissions at month 6 (13/26 (50%) versus 22/29 (76%) P=0.05 and 2.2 µg/ml [IQR, 0.0-10.9] versus 0.0 µg/ml [IQR, 0.0-0.0] P<0.001 respectively). All non-spreaders entered into remission whatever the protocol. Eight of the 41 participants who reached remission had relapses. Epitope spreading at diagnosis (8/8 (100%) versus 16/33 (48%) P=0.01) and incomplete depletion of anti-PLA2R1 antibodies at month 6 (4/8 (50%) versus 5/33 (9%) P=0.05) were associated with relapses.ConclusionsOur work suggests that higher dose rituximab protocol is more effective on depletion of B-cells and lack of epitope spreading is associated with remission of membranous nephropathy.
Project description:Objective: Glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickening is a typical and essential histopathological characteristic for the diagnosis of primary membranous nephropathy (PMN). The present study aimed to explore the relationship between GBM thickness and treatment response in PMN patients.Methods: A total of 128 patients with nephrotic syndrome concurrent with PMN were studied. The highest GBM thickness was measured from at least five glomerular capillary loops using an electron microscope, and the mean value was obtained. Patients were categorized into three groups according to the tertiles of GBM thickness as follows: Group 1 (GBM thickness ≤ 1100 nm, n = 48), Group 2 (1100 nm < GBM thickness ≤ 1300 nm, n = 40), Group 3 (GBM thickness >1300 nm, n = 40). Clinicopathological features and treatment response were compared among the three groups. The associations of GBM thickness with complete remission (CR) were assessed by Cox proportional hazard analyses and a cubic spline curve.Results: During a median follow-up period of 25.80 months, 69 (53.9%) patients achieved CR. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the non-CR probability was significantly higher in the highest tertile of GBM thickness (p˂0.001). Univariate Cox proportional hazard analysis indicated that GBM thickness was associated with CR (HR per SD 0.617, 95% CI [0.471-0.809], p˂0.001). After adjusting for age, duration of PMN, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary protein excretion, grade of C3 deposition, and titer of serum anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody, GBM thickness remained an independent predictor of CR (HR per SD 0.580, 95% CI [0.436-0.772], p˂0.001). Further multivariable-adjusted restricted cubic spline analysis confirmed a significant reverse linear association between GBM thickness and CR (p for nonlinear = 0.1261).Conclusions: GBM thickness is an independent risk factor of CR. PMN patients with an increased level of GBM thickening at diagnosis have a lower probability of achieving CR.
Project description:Overlapping idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) and immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is rare. This study aims to investigate the unique prognostic, clinical, and renal histopathological characteristics of IMN+IgAN. This retrospective observational study included 73 consecutive cases of IMN+IgAN and 425 cases of IMN treated between September 2006 and November 2015. Prognostic and baseline clinical and histopathological data were compared between the two patient groups. Poor prognostic events included a permanent 50% reduction in eGFR, end-stage renal disease, and all-cause mortality. Renal histopathology demonstrated that the patients with IMN+IgAN presented with significantly increased mesangial cell proliferation and matrix expansion, increased inflammatory cell infiltration, and higher proportions of arteriole hyalinosis and lesions than the patients with IMN (all P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the patients with IMN+IgAN had significantly higher cumulative incidence rates of partial or complete remission (PR or CR, P = 0.0085). Multivariate Cox model analysis revealed that old age at biopsy and high baseline serum creatinine and uric acid levels were significantly associated with poor prognosis (all P < 0.05), and increased IgA expression correlated significantly with PR or CR (P < 0.05). The present study found that overlapping IMN and IgAN presents with unique renal histopathology and appears not to cause a poorer prognosis than IMN.
Project description:BackgroundPrimary membranous nephropathy (PMN) frequently causes nephrotic syndrome and declining kidney function. Disease progression is likely modulated by patient-specific and therapy-associated factors awaiting characterization. These cofactors may facilitate identification of risk groups and could result in more individualized therapy recommendations.MethodsIn this single-center retrospective observational study, we analyze the effect of patient-specific and therapy-associated covariates on proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in 74 patients diagnosed with antibody positive PMN and nephrotic-range proteinuria (urine-protein-creatinine-ratio [UPCR] ≥ 3.5 g/g), treated at the University of Freiburg Medical Center between January 2000 - November 2022. The primary endpoint was defined as time to proteinuria / serum-albumin response (UPCR ≤ 0.5 g/g or serum-albumin ≥ 3.5 g/dl), the secondary endpoint as time to permanent eGFR decline (≥ 40% relative to baseline).ResultsThe primary endpoint was reached after 167 days. The secondary endpoint was reached after 2413 days. Multivariate time-to-event analyses showed significantly faster proteinuria / serum-albumin response for higher serum-albumin levels (HR 2.7 [95% CI: 1.5 - 4.8]) and cyclophosphamide treatment (HR 3.6 [95% CI: 1.3 - 10.3]). eGFR decline was significantly faster in subjects with old age at baseline (HR 1.04 [95% CI: 1 - 1.1]).ConclusionHigh serum-albumin levels, and treatment with cyclophosphamide are associated with faster proteinuria reduction and/or serum-albumin normalization. Old age constitutes a risk factor for eGFR decline in subjects with PMN.
Project description:PurposeThe dose of repository corticotropin (RCI) and need for a loading dose in sarcoidosis patients receiving chronic corticosteroids are unclear. We performed a single-blind prospective study, comparing two doses of RCI in sarcoidosis.MethodsChronic pulmonary sarcoidosis patients receiving prednisone therapy with deterioration by 5% in FVC in the previous year were studied. RCI was administered subcutaneously at a loading dose of 80 units RCI for 10 days. Patients were randomized at day 14 to receive either 40- or 80-unit RCI twice a week. The dose of prednisone was modified by the clinician who was blinded to the patient's dosage of RCI.ResultsSixteen patients completed the full 24 weeks of the study. At week 24, there was a decrease in the dose of prednisone, and improvements in DLCO, King's Sarcoidosis Questionnaire health status and fatigue score. There was no significant change in FVC % predicted. For the PET scan, there was a significant fall in the standard uptake value (SUV) of the lung lesions. Only 3/8 patients remained on 80 units RCI for full 24 weeks. There was no significant difference in the response to therapy for those treated with 40- versus 80-unit RCI.ConclusionsRepository corticotropin treatment was prednisone-sparing and associated with significant improvement in DLCO, PET scan, and patient-reported outcome measures. A dose of 40-unit RCI twice a week was as effective as 80-unit RCI and was better tolerated.
Project description:Background and objectivesPatients with membranous nephropathy can have circulating autoantibodies against membrane-bound (phospholipase A2 receptor 1 [PLA2R1] and thrombospondin type-1 domain containing 7A [THSD7A]) and intracellular (aldose reductase, SOD2, and α-enolase) podocyte autoantigens. We studied their combined association with clinical outcomes.Design, setting, participants, & measurementsSerum levels of anti-PLA2R1, anti-THSD7A, anti-aldose reductase, anti-SOD2, and anti-α-enolase autoantibodies were determined in 285 patients at diagnosis and during follow-up using standardized and homemade assays. An eGFR>60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 and remission of proteinuria (<0.3/<3.5 g per d) after 12 months were the outcomes of interest.ResultsAt diagnosis, 182 (64%), eight (3%), and 95 (33%) patients were anti-PLA2R1+, anti-THSD7A+, and double negative, respectively. The prevalence of a detectable antibody to at least one intracellular antigen was similarly distributed in patients who were anti-PLA2R1+ (n=118, 65%) and double negative (n=64, 67%). Positivity for anti-PLA2R1, anti-SOD2, and anti-α-enolase antibodies and higher titers at diagnosis were associated with poor clinical outcome independently to each other. Combined positivity for anti-PLA2R1, anti-SOD2, and anti-α-enolase was associated with highest risk of poor outcome (odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 24; P=0.01). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients who were anti-PLA2R1+/anti-SOD2+ or anti-PLA2R1+/anti-α-enolase+ had lower eGFR at 12 months compared with patients who were anti-PLA2R1+/anti-SOD2- or anti-α-enolase-. Predictive tests (net reclassification index and area under the curve-receiver-operating characteristic analysis) showed that combined assessment of antibodies improved classification of outcome in 22%-34% of cases for partial remission of proteinuria and maintenance of normal eGFR. For patients with nephrotic syndrome at diagnosis, anti-SOD2 positivity and high anti-PLA2R1 titer were associated with a lack of complete remission. Patients who were anti-PLA2R1-/anti-intracellular antigens- had the lowest proteinuria and the highest eGFR at diagnosis and the lowest risk of lower eGFR at 12 months. Epitope spreading was present in 81% of patients who were anti-PLA2R1+ and was associated with increased positivity for intracellular antigens and poor eGFR at diagnosis and 12 months.ConclusionsCombined serological analysis of autoantibodies targeting membrane-bound and intracellular autoantigens identifies patients with poor clinical outcomes.
Project description:BackgroundThe clinical outcome varies considerably in primary membranous nephropathy (pMN). Risk factors for kidney prognosis include ageing, male gender, persistent heavy proteinuria, decreased eGFR at presentation, persistent elevation of anti-PLA2R antibodies, no remission, and so on. It was controversial whether the histopathological features of pMN could predict treatment response and kidney outcome.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in 371 patients with biopsy-proven pMN. Pathological parameters included immunofluorescence staining, membranous Churg's stages, sclerosis, crescent, focal segmental sclerosis lesion, chronic and acute tubulointerstitial injury. The fluorescence intensity was determined: 0, negative; 1, weak; 2, moderate; 3, strong; 4, glaring. Chronic tubulointerstitial injury was graded by the involved area: 0, 0-5%; 1, 6-25%; 2, 26-50%; 3, > 50%.ResultsWe found that patients with higher intensity of C3 staining, advanced membranous stage, and more severe chronic tubulointerstitial injury presented with higher positivity rate of anti-PLA2R antibodies, higher levels of urinary protein excretion and serum creatinine, and lower level of serum albumin. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that severe (grade = 3) chronic tubulointerstitial injury was a risk factor to the kidney outcome of ESKD (HR = 61.02, 95%CI, 7.75-480.57, P < 0.001) and over 50% reduction of eGFR (HR = 4.43, 95%CI, 1.26-15.6, P = 0.021). Multivariate analysis demonstrated it as an independent risk factor to ESKD (HR = 25.77, 95% CI, 1.27-523.91, P = 0.035). None of the pathological parameters exerted any influence on treatment response (P > 0.05).ConclusionsWe found the prognostic role of chronic tubulointerstitial injury to the kidney outcome of pMN. This study highlighted the value of kidney biopsy under the widespread usage of anti-PLA2R antibodies for diagnosis and prognosis.