Comparison of steroids and angiotensin receptor blockers for patients with advanced IgA nephropathy and impaired renal function.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The therapeutic strategy for advanced IgA nephropathy patients with impaired renal function is still controversial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We divided 44 IgA nephropathy patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 60 ml/min/1.76 m(2) and proteinuria greater than 0.5 g/g · creatinine into two groups: the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) group (n = 22), treated with ARBs, and the steroid group (n = 22), treated with corticosteroid. We analyzed the clinical and histological background, renal survival rate until progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and the risk factors for progression.

RESULTS: The clinical and histological backgrounds were not significantly different between the groups. At 1 and 2 years after treatment, proteinuria tended to be decreased from baseline in both groups, but not significantly, and urinary red blood cells were significantly decreased in the steroid groups (p < 0.001), but not in the ARB group. The eGFR tended to be increased in the steroid group and decreased in the ARB group. However, the renal survival rate until ESRD was not significantly different between the groups. There were no significant independent risk factors for progression.

CONCLUSION: The beneficial effect of ARBs on renal survival of advanced IgA nephropathy with impaired renal function is equal to that with steroids.