Treatment practices of FSGS among North American pediatric nephrologists

Pediatr Nephrol. 1999 May;13(4):301-3. doi: 10.1007/s004670050613.

Abstract

A survey of North American pediatric nephrologists was conducted to assess the variability in the treatment of primary steroid-resistant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) of native kidneys. The most widely used immunosuppressive drug was cyclosporin A, with 73.9% using it often or sometimes. Only 44.3% used intravenous methylprednisolone combined with an alkylating agent at least sometimes; the use of methylprednisolone without cytotoxic drugs was slightly more common. Prolonged oral steroid therapy (>3 months) was used often or sometimes by 50.3%. The use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors was very common, while lipid-lowering agents were rarely used. The variability in the treatment of FSGS most likely results from lack of evidence-based information and underscores the need for controlled pediatric multicenter treatment trials.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Alkylating Agents / administration & dosage
  • Alkylating Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cyclosporine / administration & dosage
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Resistance
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / drug therapy*
  • Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / physiopathology
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Methylprednisolone / adverse effects
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use*
  • North America
  • Steroids / pharmacology
  • Steroids / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Alkylating Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Steroids
  • Cyclosporine
  • Methylprednisolone