Transcontinental Practice Patterns in Pediatric Recurrent Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis: Barriers to Consensus...

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Pediatric Nephrology
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Clinical practice variation in managing recurrent idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (rFSGS) is poorly defined.
• This variation likely hinders successful clinical trial design for pediatric rFSGS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate global clinical practice patterns in pediatric rFSGS management.
• To assess physician perceptions of barriers to rFSGS clinical trial participation.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was conducted from June to September 2024.
• Participants included members of the Pediatric Nephrology Research Consortium (PNRC) and the European Society for Pediatric Nephrology (ESPN).

Main Results:

• 120 physicians responded, with varying practices in pretransplant mutation analysis, native nephrectomy, and therapeutic interventions.
• Plasmapheresis and Rituximab were common treatments, with regional differences in plasmapheresis use.
• Key barriers to clinical trials included limited site resources, recipient/family reluctance, and operational issues.

Conclusions:

• Significant heterogeneity exists in pediatric rFSGS management practices globally.
• Barriers to clinical trials necessitate collaborative efforts to establish consensus on rFSGS prevention and management.