Open-Label Clinical Trials of Oral Pulse Dexamethasone for Adults with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome.
Published
Journal Article
BACKGROUND: In adults with primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), daily prednisone may induce complete remissions (CR) and partial remissions (PR), but relapses are frequent and adverse events are common. METHODS: We carried out 2 open-label, uncontrolled trials to explore the efficacy and tolerability of pulse oral dexamethasone as an alternative to daily prednisone. We enrolled adult patients with proteinuria > 3.5 g/day despite the use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone blockade. In the first trial, we enrolled 14 subjects with FSGS and administered 4 dexamethasone doses (25 mg/m2) daily for 4 days, repeated every 28 days over 32 weeks. The second trial involved a more intensive regimen. Eight subjects received 4 dexamethasone doses of 50 mg/m2 every 4 weeks for 12 weeks, followed by 4 doses of 25 mg/m2 every 4 weeks for 36 weeks; subjects were randomized to 2 doses every 2 weeks or 4 doses every 4 weeks. RESULTS: In the first trial, we enrolled 13 subjects with FSGS and 1 with minimal change disease and found a combined CR and PR rate of 36%. In the second trial, we enrolled 8 subjects. The combined CR and PR rate was 29%. Analysis combining both trials showed a combined CR and PR rate of 33%. Adverse events were observed in 32% of subjects, with mood symptoms being most common. There were no serious adverse events related to the study. CONCLUSION: We conclude that high dose oral dexamethasone is well tolerated by adults with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and may have some efficacy.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Cho, ME; Branton, MH; Smith, DA; Bartlett, L; Howard, L; Reynolds, JC; Rosenstein, D; Sethi, S; Nava, MB; Barisoni, L; Fervenza, FC; Kopp, JB
Published Date
- 2019
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 49 / 5
Start / End Page
- 377 - 385
PubMed ID
- 30965344
Pubmed Central ID
- 30965344
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1421-9670
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1159/000497064
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- Switzerland