Profile and primary treatment outcomes in membranous nephropathy

To assess the clinical profile and primary treatment response and outcomes in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) patients.

This study was carried out between December 2013 and January 2019 in a tertiary care hospital in North India on 2 years retrospective and 3 years prospective renal biopsy proven patients with IMN presenting with nephrotic syndrome. Basic baseline investigations carried out were urinary proteins, serum albumin, serum creatinine, other special tests wherever necessary or possible (including phospholipase A2 receptor antibodies), and different treatment regimens were offered for treatment. The patients were followed up for a minimum period of 6 months after administration of treatment.

The study was carried out in 120 patients with mean age of 43±14.6 years and male female ratio of 1.65:1. Hypertension was noted in 36%, microscopic hematuria in 13%, and mean 24 hours urinary proteinuria 10.5±3.1 gm. Complete or partial response at 6 months was observed in 57% and 34% cases to cyclophosphamide, 60% and 40% to modified Ponticelli treatment, 81% and 19% to tacrolimus, and 40% and 36% cases to rituximab. Relapse was observed in 6% of cyclophosphamide and 13% in tacrolimus groups.

Our results show a good and comparable response to cyclophosphamide, tacrolimus, and rituximab at 6 months of follow up. The cases which achieved complete remission had significantly lower baseline proteinuria compared to those who did not respond.