Association between Immunoglobulin M and Steroid Resistance in Children with Nephrotic Syndrome: A Retrospective Multicenter Study in Japan

Kidney360. 2021 Jan 19;2(3):487-493. doi: 10.34067/KID.0004432020. eCollection 2021 Mar 25.

Abstract

Background: The prognosis of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) in children is poorer than steroid-sensitive cases. Diagnosis of SRNS is made after observing the response to the initial 4-week corticosteroid therapy, which might be accompanied by side effects. However, predictive indicators at initial diagnosis remain unknown. We aimed to investigate whether selectivity index (SI) and other indicators at initial diagnosis-for example, serum IgM and total serum protein-albumin ratio (TA ratio, total serum protein level over albumin level)-can predict SRNS.

Methods: A total of 80 children were enrolled from seven hospitals in Japan between January 2008 and December 2019 (mean age, 4.7 years; 65% male). Of the children enrolled, 13 (16%, M/F=5:8) had been diagnosed as steroid resistant after initial treatment with steroids. The association between serum IgM (tertile categories: low, 24-133; middle, 134-169; and high, 169.1-510 mg/dl), SI (<0.2 or ≥0.2), and TA ratio (tertile categories: low, 1.8-2.6; middle, 2.62-3.75; and high, 3.8-15.3) at initial diagnosis and steroid resistance was evaluated with logistic regression, adjusting for age and sex.

Results: Low levels of serum IgM were significantly associated with steroid resistance (adjusted odds ratio, 6.94; 95% CI, 1.12 to 43.11). TA ratio and SI were not significantly associated with steroid resistance.

Conclusions: Low levels of serum IgM at initial diagnosis might predict steroid resistance among Japanese children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Keywords: children; glomerular and tubulointerstitial diseases; idiopathic nephrotic syndrome; logistic regression analysis; multivariate analysis; retrospective study; selectivity index; serum IgM; steroid resistant.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M / therapeutic use
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Nephrotic Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Steroids / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Steroids