Steroid Treatment for Kidney Disease

Summary

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and minimal change disease are kidney diseases that are associated with increased excretion of protein in the urine. Approximately half of FSGS patients will lose kidney function within 8 years of diagnosis and will require dialysis. The purpose of this study is to determine whether intermittent oral steroid therapy can cause sustained remission of FSGS and MCD. Approximately 70 participants, including adults and children older than age 2, will be enrolled in this study. They will receive 48 doses of oral dexamethasone over a period of 48 weeks. One group will take two daily doses every 2 weeks; the other group will take four daily doses every 4 weeks. Doctors will monitor participants before, during, and after the steroid treatment with extensive exams and testing. At the completion of the study, researchers will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the drug treatment.

Timeline

Start

2003-07

Primary completion

2010-08

Completion

2010-08

Outcome

Missed primary endpoint

registry analysis (superiority or other test); 2 Doses Every 2 Weeks Arm vs 4 Doses Every 4 Weeks Arm; p = 0.9074; Chi-squared NCT00065611 ↗

Publications

• Background Adhikari M, Bhimma R, Coovadia HM. Intensive pulse therapies for focal glomerulosclerosis in South African children. Pediatr Nephrol. 1997 Aug;11(4):423-8. doi: 10.1007/s004670050309.
• Background Yorgin PD, Krasher J, Al-Uzri AY. Pulse methylprednisolone treatment of idiopathic steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. Pediatr Nephrol. 2001 Mar;16(3):245-50. doi: 10.1007/s004670000494.
• Background Houser MT, Jahn MF, Kobayashi A, Walburn J. Assessment of urinary protein excretion in the adolescent: effect of body position and exercise. J Pediatr. 1986 Sep;109(3):556-61. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(86)80143-3.
• Hodson EM, Sinha A, Cooper TE. Interventions for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022 Feb 28;2(2):CD003233. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003233.pub3.

Drugs

Indications