Objective To review the efficacy and safety of interventions for preventing infections in nephrotic syndrome using evidence-based principles for clinicians to practice easily. Methods We searched Cochrane controlled trials register database, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Chinese Biologic Medical database. Results Total 11 articles were obtained including RCTs, non-controlled clinical studies and traditional narrative reviews. No systematic review or meta-analysis was identified. Prophylactic interventions for reducing risks of infection in nephrotic syndrome included intravenous immunoglobulin, thymosin, traditional Chinese herb, lamivudine, pneumococcal vaccination and chemoprophylaxis. Conclusion At present, the studies about interventions for preventing infection in nephrotic syndrome were limited in quantity and poor in the quality of methodology, therefore, the promising conclusions were unavailable. Rigid randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials with blinding or systematic review or meta-analysis would be very necessary for further assessing the efficacy and safety of the prophylactic interventions for preventing infections in nephrotic syndrome
Objective To report an evidence-based treatment of Mycophenolate Mofetil for idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) with nephrotic syndrome (NS). Methods We searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2005), MEDLINE (1978 to 2006) and CNKI (1978 to 2006), and critically appraised the available evidence. Results The available Level C (low quality) evidence showed that Mycophenolate Mofetil was effective for the remission of proteinuria, and effective in patients who were resistant to steroid or cytotoxic agents. However, there was no evidence on its long-term effect on renal survival. Given the current evidence, together with our clinical experience and the patient’s preference, Mycophenolate Mofetil and glucocorticoid were administered to the patient. After 3 months of treatment, proteinuria was relieved. The patient is still can followed up. Conclusions We only find Level C evidence to support the short-term efficacy of Mycophenolate Mofetil on the remission of proteinuria. Further studies on its long-term effects on renal survival, and a health economics evaluation are needed.
Objective We intended to get a good understanding of the current role of alkylating agents in the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) with nephrotic syndrome (NS). Methods We searched the Cochrane Library ( Issue 3, 2005), MEDLINE (1978 Jun., 2005) and CBM disc(1978-2005) to get the current best evidence of alkylating agents for treating IMN with NS and further critically appraised the available evidence. Results Alkylating agents showed a significant beneficial effect on complete remission of proteinuria. The treatment of glucocorticoid with cyclophosphamide (MP+CTX) was one of the best managements among the various regimens suggested for IMN, but it was not clear about its long-term effect on renal survival rate. Given the current best evidence together with our clinical experience and the attitudes of the patient and family members, the treatment of (MP+CTX) was administered. There was a significant remission of proteinuria after 6 months follow-up. Conclusions The treatment of (MP+CTX) can significantly improve the remission of proteinuria, however further observations on the long-term effect of alkylating agents on renal survival rate are required.
Objective To provide evidence for clinical practice by assessing the effectiveness and safety of Ligustrazine for primary nephrotic syndrome. Methods We searched MEDLINE (1966.1-2002.12), EMBASE (1975-2002.12), CBM (1979.1-2002.12), Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine/Cochrane Centre Database (CEBM/CCD, Issue 4, 2002) , Cochrane Library, and SCI (1985-2002.12) and handsearched 15 kinds of journals (including Journal of Nephrology et al) (1980-2003.2) for the randomized controlled trials (RCTs).Jadad score was used to assess the quality of RCTs. The outcomes of short term and long term effectiveness, and adverse effect of the treatment were analyzed by RevMan 4.1. Results Thirteen RCTs involving 675 patients met inclusion criteria. Jadad scores of each trial was 1 point. Meta-analysis of 4 studies showed that Ligustrazine had significant better short term effect [OR 4.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.76 to 10.19], lowered 24 h urine protein (OR -0.36, 95% CI -0.71 to -0.02), improved renal function [ creatinine level in children group: (OR -3.34, 95% CI -5.25 to -1.43), creatinine level in adult group: (OR -48.29, 95% CI -68.24 to -28.35)], and increased serum albumin level (OR 3.61, 95% CI 2.61 to 4.61). Whether Ligustrazine had long term side effect was not confirmed. No adequate evidence showed that Ligustrazine could reduce the relapse rate of primary nephrotic syndrome. Conclusions Meta-analysis of low quality RCTs suggest that Ligustrazine does work in primary nephritic syndrome in short term observation. No adequate evidence shows that Ligustrazine has severe side effect or can reduce the relapse rate of primary nephrotic syndrome. We can’t draw a conclusion that Ligustrazine is safe in primary nephrotic syndrome treatment.A rigorously designed, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial are required.
ObjectiveTo compare the cost-effectiveness of warfarin and enoxaparin overlapping treatment for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) or pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS). MethodsA decision tree model was constructed. The efficacy data applied in our decision tree were from clinical data, and the cost data was based on the hospitalization cost of 103 patients with nephrotic syndrome in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from 2013 to 2014, State Development and Reform Commission pricing and literature report. The one-way sensitivity analyses was conducted to analyze the stability of test. ResultsIn base case, the cost and cost-effective ratio of warfarin and enoxaparin overlapped treatment for 3 days were 10305.49 yuan and 31607.15, respectively. While those overlapped treatment for 4 days were 8849.36 yuan and 20896.46, overlapped treatment for 5 days and above were 9494.29 yuan and 21659.95, respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 4 days versus 5 days and above was 5600.96. The cost-effective ratio of 4 days was lower but the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of it was higher. The sensitivity analysis showed the test result was stable. ConclusionCost-effectiveness analysis shows that warfarin and enoxaparin overlapping treatment for 4 days in patients with nephrotic syndrome has cost-effective advantage. Due to the limited sample size of our study, the above conclusion should be proved by more large-scale high-quality clinical studies.