Background: No satisfactory treatment exists for IgA nephropathy (IgAN), especially in patients with severe histologic damage. Several trials using steroids combined with other therapies such as warfarin have demonstrated unremarkable results. We investigated the renoprotective effects of warfarin and steroids in IgAN patients with crescent formation.
Methods: Fifteen Japanese patients with IgAN were followed for up to 3 years. Crescent formation was recognized in over half of their glomeruli from renal biopsy specimens. Treatments consisted of either 0.5 mg/kg per day of prednisolone, or warfarin monotherapy. Blood pressure was controlled with long-acting calcium channel blockers and alpha-beta blockers. Serum creatinine and urinary protein excretion were evaluated at least every 2 months for 36 months.
Results: Ten of the 15 patients completed the study. The serum creatinine levels had increased in both groups by 3 years, but significantly more so in the group treated with warfarin. However, they were not significantly different between the two groups as measured at the beginning and end of the study. Blood pressure for all patients in the study was maintained below 130/85 mmHg. Excluded from the study were 5 patients who experienced either peptic ulcers (n = 2, steroid group) or bleeding problems (n = 3, warfarin group).
Conclusions: These results suggest that corticosteroid therapy may assist in preventing deterioration of renal function in patients with IgAN accompanied by crescent formation. However, further study would be required to decide its usefulness.