Intravenous methylprednisolone for nephrotic syndrome with minimal change lesions in adults: a randomized controlled...

Patients with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) usually experience severe oedema, which can affect the absorption of oral corticosteroid during the first 2 weeks. We conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare the efficacy of intravenous (IV) isovalent methylprednisolone induction followed by oral prednisone therapy with conventional oral prednisone therapy in highly oedematous MCNS patients, aiming to provide a better therapy for MCNS patients.

A single-centre, open-label, parallel-arm RCT was performed in the Nephrology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in our study from May 2015 to October 2020 and were randomized to receive conventional oral steroid or 2 weeks of IV methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisone.

A total of 117 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the sequential group (n = 57) or the oral group (n = 60). The total remission rate in the sequential group was higher than in the oral group after treatment for 2 weeks and 4 weeks (P = .032, P = .027). The complete remission (CR) rate was higher in the sequential group than in the oral group (63.3% versus 41.5%; P = .031) after treatment for 2 weeks. The time to achieve CR was shorter in the sequential group than in the oral group, with a statistically significant difference {14.0 days [95% confidence interval (CI) 13.5-14.5] versus 16.0 days [95% CI 12.7-19.3], P = .024}. There were no significant differences in relapse rate (24.5% versus 28.3%; P = .823) and time to relapse (155 ± 103 days versus 150.7 ± 103.7 days; P = .916) between two groups.

This study suggested that highly oedematous MCNS patients who received IV isovalent methylprednisolone induction therapy followed by oral prednisone achieved earlier remission than the conventional oral prednisone regimen without differences in relapse rates or adverse effects. Short-term IV methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisone may be a better choice for MCNS patients with severe oedema.