Later Response to Corticosteroids in Adults With Primary Focal Segmental Glomerular Sclerosis Is Associated With Favorable Outcomes

Guidelines advise initial therapy with corticosteroids (CSs) in patients with presumed primary focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (pFSGS). Many patients do not achieve complete remission (CR) after 8 or 16 weeks. Although these patients are considered steroid resistant, clinical outcomes are ill defined. A retrospective cohort study of patients with pFSGS who were referred between January 1995 and December 2014. Data of clinical presentation until last follow-up were collected from patient records. A total of 51 patients (median age 47 years, 20 female/31 male) were included (median follow-up 7.1 years). There were 10 patients who achieved partial response (PR) at 8 weeks. High-dose CS monotherapy was continued for a median of 17 weeks (interquartile range [IQR] 11–21 weeks) (total duration 56 weeks [IQR 28–83 weeks]). With CSs, the cumulative incidence of CR + PR was 18% and 35%, respectively. Of 24 patients with persistent nephrotic-range proteinuria, 22 received additional immunosuppressive (IS) therapy, resulting in CR in 3 (14%) and PR in 11 patients (50%). A decrease of >20% of proteinuria at 8 weeks predicted response. In addition, 8 patients (36%) were considered primary nonresponders. A genetic cause was found in 2 patients. Proteinuria at end of follow-up was 1.2 g (IQR 0.4–3.0 g/24 hours or g/10 mmol creatinine). Renal survival at 3, 5, and 10 years was 92%, 87%, and 64%, respectively. Patients with presumed pFSGS often respond late to IS therapy. A decrease in proteinuria of >20% after 8 weeks of therapy is a predictor of responsiveness. Regardless of CR in some patients, improved biomarkers are needed to predict response/outcomes in patients with pFSGS. [Display omitted]