Nsaids Minimal Change Disease

Interventions for minimal change disease in adults with
nephrotic syndrome (Review)

Palmer SC, Nand K, Strippoli GFM
This is a reprint of a Cochrane review, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration and published in The Cochrane Library
2009, Issue 4
http://www.thecochranelibrary.com
Interventions for minimal change disease in adults with nephrotic syndrome (Review)
Copyright 2009 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HEADER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ABSTRACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BACKGROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OBJECTIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
METHODS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RESULTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 1.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DISCUSSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AUTHORS CONCLUSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHARACTERISTICS OF STUDIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DATA AND ANALYSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Analysis 1.1. Comparison 1 Steroid versus placebo or no treatment, Outcome 1 Complete remission. . . . . . .
Analysis 1.2. Comparison 1 Steroid versus placebo or no treatment, Outcome 2 Partial remission. . . . . . . .
Analysis 1.3. Comparison 1 Steroid versus placebo or no treatment, Outcome 3 Sustained remission during follow-up.
Analysis 1.4. Comparison 1 Steroid versus placebo or no treatment, Outcome 4 Loss of oedema. . . . . . . .
Analysis 1.5. Comparison 1 Steroid versus placebo or no treatment, Outcome 5 Adverse events. . . . . . . . .
Analysis 2.1. Comparison 2 Intravenous + oral steroid versus oral steroid, Outcome 1 Complete remission. . . . .
Analysis 2.2. Comparison 2 Intravenous + oral steroid versus oral steroid, Outcome 2 Sustained remission during followup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Analysis 2.3. Comparison 2 Intravenous + oral steroid versus oral steroid, Outcome 3 All-cause mortality. . . . .
Analysis 2.4. Comparison 2 Intravenous + oral steroid versus oral steroid, Outcome 4 Adverse events. . . . . . .
Analysis 2.5. Comparison 2 Intravenous + oral steroid versus oral steroid, Outcome 5 Relapse. . . . . . . . .
Analysis 3.1. Comparison 3 Intravenous steroid versus oral steroid, Outcome 1 Complete remission. . . . . . .
Analysis 3.2. Comparison 3 Intravenous steroid versus oral steroid, Outcome 2 Time to complete remission (days). .
APPENDICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WHATS NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CONTRIBUTIONS OF AUTHORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INDEX TERMS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
1
2
2
3
3
6
7
9
10
11
11
16
23
24
24
25
25
26
26
27
27
28
28
29
29
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[Intervention Review]
Interventions for minimal change disease in adults with

nephrotic syndrome
Suetonia C Palmer1 , Kushma Nand2 , Giovanni FM Strippoli3
1 Renal Division, Brigham and Womens Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. 2 Renal/General Medicine, Northshore
Hospital, Takapuna, New Zealand. 3 Centre for Kidney Research, The Childrens Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Australia
Contact address: Suetonia C Palmer, Renal Division, Brigham and Womens Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Institute of
Medicine, Room 550, 4 Blackfan Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. suetoniapalmer@clear.net.nz.
Editorial group: Cochrane Renal Group.
Publication status and date: Edited (no change to conclusions), published in Issue 4, 2009.
Review content assessed as up-to-date: 31 October 2007.
Citation: Palmer SC, Nand K, Strippoli GFM. Interventions for minimal change disease in adults with nephrotic syndrome. Cochrane
Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD001537. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001537.pub4.
ABSTRACT
Background
Steroids have been used widely since the early 1970s for the treatment of adult-onset minimal change disease. The response rates to
immunosuppressive agents in adult minimal change disease, especially steroids, are more variable than in children. The optimal agent,
dose, and duration of treatment for the first episode of nephrotic syndrome, or for disease relapse(s) has not been determined.
Objectives
To determine the benefits and harms of interventions for the nephrotic syndrome in adults caused by minimal change disease.
Search strategy
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, reference articles and abstracts from conference
proceedings, without language restriction.
Search date: January 2007.
Selection criteria
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs of any intervention for minimal change disease in adults over 18 years with the
nephrotic syndrome were included. Studies comparing different routes, frequencies, and duration of immunosuppressive agents were
selected. Studies comparing non-immunosuppressive agents were also assessed.
Data collection and analysis
Two authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data. Statistical analyses were performed using the random effects
model and results were expressed as a risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes, or mean difference (MD) for continuous data with
95% confidence intervals (CI).
Main results
Three RCTs (68 participants) were identified. All treatment comparisons contained only one study. No significant difference was found
between prednisone compared with placebo for complete (RR 1.44, CI 0.95 to 2.19) and partial remission (RR 1.00, CI 0.07 to
14.45) of the nephrotic syndrome due to minimal change disease. There was no difference between intravenous methylprednisolone
plus oral prednisone compared with oral prednisone alone for complete remission (RR 0.74, CI 0.50 to 1.08). Prednisone, compared
with short-course intravenous methylprednisolone, increased the number of subjects who achieved complete remission (RR 4.95, CI
1.15 to 21.26). The lack of statistical evidence of efficacy associated with prednisone therapy was based on data derived from a single
study that compared alternate-day prednisone to no immunosuppression with only a small number of participants in each group.
No RCTs were identified comparing regimens in adults with a steroid-dependent or relapsing disease course or comparing treatments
comprising alkylating agents, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, levamisole, or mycophenolate mofetil.
Authors conclusions
Further comparative studies are required to examine the efficacy of immunosuppressive agents for achievement of sustained remission of
nephrotic syndrome caused by minimal change disease. Studies are also needed to evaluate treatments for adults with steroid-dependent
or relapsing disease.
PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

Interventions for minimal change disease in adults with nephrotic syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome is a condition where the kidneys leak protein from the blood into the urine. Minimal change disease is the third
most common primary kidney disease in adults with unexplained nephrotic syndrome (10% to 15%). Steroids have been used widely
since the early 1970s for the treatment of adult-onset minimal change disease, however the optimal agent, dose and duration has not
been determined. This review identified three small studies (68 participants) comparing: 1) intravenous plus oral steroid treatment
versus oral sterids; 2) oral versus short-course intravenous steroid treatment; and 3) oral steroid treatment versus placebo. Only oral
steroid treatment (compared to short-course intravenous steroid treatment) showed an increase in the number of patients who achieved
complete remission. However, the lack of available studies leaves important treatment questions unanswered; what is the optimal dose
and duration of steroid treatment in new-onset adult minimal change disease; how are relapses following steroid-induced remission
prevented and treated; and what are the appropriate treatments for steroid-dependent or treatment-resistant minimal change disease?
BACKGROUND
Nephrotic syndrome is a clinical condition where the glomeruli of
the kidney leak protein from the blood into the urine. It is characterised by often severe generalised oedema and hypoproteinaemia
and, if untreated, is associated with considerable morbidity. The
causes of nephrotic syndrome are either a primary renal process,
or a result of injury to the kidney through systemic diseases, most
commonly diabetes mellitus. Minimal change disease is the third
most common primary kidney disease in adults with unexplained
nephrotic syndrome (10% to 15%) (Haas 1995; Korbet 1996),
after membranous nephropathy (30% to 40%) and segmental
sclerosing glomerular disorders (20% to 30%) (Haas 1997). In
fact, minimal change disease may be diagnosed in cases of focal
and segmental glomerulosclerosis due to sampling errors in the
kidney biopsy process. The incidence of minimal change disease
varies depending on the population studied and is reported as 1/

1,000,000 in the UK compared with 27/1,000,000 in the USA
(Johnson 2003). Adult-onset minimal change disease is associated
with kidney failure in 33% of patients, hypertension in 35%, microscopic haematuria in 47%, and hypercholesterolaemia in 96%
(Nakayama 2002). Kidney biopsy is mandatory for a diagnosis of
minimal change disease in adults with the nephrotic syndrome.
The kidney biopsy in minimal change disease reveals no, or only
minor, changes on light microscopy. The abnormality is the fusion
of the foot processes of the podocyte cell which normally forms
an impermeable barrier to protein as part of the glomerular membrane that controls the urinary filtrate. While the precise pathogenesis of minimal change disease is yet to be clarified there is
increasing evidence that T lymphocytes, and probably other im-
mune cells, are involved in the disease and may produce cytokines
that alter the normal glomerular filtration membrane that prevents
proteinuria (Grimbert 2003).
tory drugs (NSAIDs), heparinoids, and hydroxymethylglutaryl

coenzyme A (HMG Co-A) reductase inhibitors (Deighan 2001;
Olbricht 1999).
The response rates to immunosuppressive agents in adult minimal

change disease, especially steroids, are more variable than in children. Uncontrolled studies have suggested that the response rates
to steroids in adults is delayed by 8 to 16 weeks compared to
that demonstrated in children and the reasons for this delay are
poorly understood. The development of minimal change disease
in those older than 40 years may be characterised by increased
rates of kidney impairment and hypertension, although these features may simply reflect age-related changes (Tse 2003). The most
efficacious treatment to achieve sustained remission of proteinuria in adults is less well defined than for children. Relapse of the
nephrotic syndrome after remission may occur and refers to the
recurrence of an abnormal urine protein excretion rate, with or
without oedema. Spontaneous remission is infrequent, although
prior to the widespread use of corticosteroids a spontaneous rate of
remission was reported in over half of patients in the first two years
after diagnosis (Black 1970). Steroids have been used widely since
the early 1970s for the treatment of adult-onset minimal change
disease (Nolasco 1986). The response rate to corticosteroids is
slower in adults than in children where remission can be achieved
in 37% to 50% within four weeks, 51% to 76% within eight
weeks, and 76% to 97% within 16 weeks. However, up to 10% of
patients may fail to achieve complete remission with corticosteroid
therapy alone and require additional immunosuppression. After
an initial complete response, up to two-thirds of adults treated with
steroids alone will relapse on one or more occasions, and approximately 25% become frequent relapsers (Nakayama 2002). Many
patients develop steroid dependency. Older patients may have different remission rates to corticosteroids (Korbet 1996; Nakayama
2002).
The treatment of adult-onset minimal change disease appears to

have developed without consensus and the most effective secondline immunosuppressive agent to treat steroid-resistant nephrotic
syndrome or frequently relapsing disease appears uncertain. Initial
therapy is most commonly in the form of corticosteroids alone but
strong evidence is lacking for the treatment of steroid-resistant,
relapsing or steroid-dependent subjects. This systematic review
examined the existing randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for the
benefits and harms of interventions for the nephrotic syndrome
caused by minimal change disease in adults to identify areas that
require further research. The incidence and nature of treatment
related toxicity were emphasised.
Other agents active against the immune system have been employed to prolong periods of remission or reduce corticosteroid exposure. In adults, alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide and chlorambucil) (Al Khader 1979; Mak 1996) have been tested for
the treatment of glomerular diseases. More recently, agents used
in transplantation including cyclosporine, (Matsumoto 2004;
Meyrier 1991; Woo 2001), tacrolimus (Patel 2005; Schweda
1997), sirolimus (Patel 2005), and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)
(Briggs 1998; Day 2002; Mogyorosi 2002) have all been reported
in patients with either steroid-resistant or frequently relapsing
nephrotic syndrome. Adverse effects from immunosuppression
may be considerable, depending on the agent used, and include infection, malignancy, peptic ulceration, diabetes mellitus, infertility, kidney failure, bone marrow suppression, hypertrichosis, and
alopecia. Other nonspecific supportive treatments to reduce proteinuria and ameliorate the morbidity of the nephrotic syndrome
are reported, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (Arora 2002; Dilek 1999), non-steroid anti-inflamma-
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the benefits and harms of different agents,
including both immunosuppressive and non-immunosuppressive
agents, in adults with minimal change disease causing the
nephrotic syndrome.
To evaluate the efficacy of interventions on time-toremission of nephrotic syndrome, in adults with minimal change
disease causing the nephrotic syndrome.
METHODS
Criteria for considering studies for this review
Types of studies
All RCTs and quasi-RCTs (RCTs in which allocation to treatment
was obtained by alternation, use of alternate medical records, date
of birth or other predictable methods) looking at any intervention for minimal change disease in adults with the nephrotic syndrome were included. Immunosuppressive agents included corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, azathioprine, cyclosporine, tacrolimus (FK-506), sirolimus (target of rapamycin
inhibitors (TOR-I; sirolimus and everolimus), and MMF. Nonimmunosuppressive agents included NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors,
angiotensin-receptor antagonists, heparinoids, parenteral albumin
and HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors. The first period of randomised cross-over studies were included.
Types of participants
Inclusion criteria
RCTs enrolling adults (> 18 years) with the nephrotic syndrome and biopsy-proven minimal change disease were included.
Nephrotic syndrome was defined as proteinuria >3.0 g/24 h,
oedema and hypercholesterolaemia.
Exclusion criteria
Studies enrolling paediatric patients were excluded as these were

the subject of previously published reviews (Durkan 2005; Hodson
2006; Hodson 2007). Studies enrolling patients who had any type
of segmental sclerosing abnormality on kidney biopsy (focal and
segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), collapsing variant of FSGS)
were excluded. Any RCT enrolling patients with secondary minimal change nephropathy (e.g. related to drug therapy) were excluded.
Types of interventions
All immunosuppressive agents were considered and included the
following:
Corticosteroid agent versus placebo or no treatment.
Different doses and/or durations and routes of
administration of corticosteroid treatments.
Non-corticosteroid immunosuppressive agent (with or
without concomitant corticosteroid treatment) versus
corticosteroid agent alone. These non-corticosteroid agents
included azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil,
cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus, levamisole and
mycophenolate mofetil.
Comparisons between two different non-corticosteroid
agents (with or without concomitant steroid agent).
Different doses, durations, and routes of the same noncorticosteroid immunosuppressive agent (with or without
concomitant use of corticosteroid agent).
All studies where participants were randomised to a non-immunosuppressive agent were included. These included:
Non-immunosuppressive agent versus placebo or no
treatment.
Immunosuppressive agent versus non-immunosuppressive
agent.
Comparisons between two different nonimmunosuppressive agents.
Number of patients who achieved complete remission

during and following therapy (i.e. oedema free and proteinuria <
1+ (on dipstick), or protein:creatinine < 0.03 g/mmol or
complete remission as defined by the investigators).
Secondary outcome measures
Number of patients who achieve partial remission with

reduction in proteinuria (i.e. proteinuria < 2+ on dipstick, urine
protein:creatinine ratio < 0.3 g/mmol, protein excretion < 3 g/d
or partial remission as defined by the triallists).
End of treatment increase in serum albumin 30 g/L.
End of treatment loss of oedema.
Time to remission (days) of nephrotic syndrome.
End of treatment reduction in total cholesterol to 5.5
mmol/L.
Doubling of serum creatinine.
End stage kidney disease (GFR 15 mL/min or requiring
renal replacement therapy).
One or more episodes of thrombosis.
All-cause mortality.
Fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events (myocardial
infarction, stroke, revascularisation).
Adverse events including major infection requiring
parenteral antibiosis or hospitalisation, all-cause infection,
hypertension, malignancy, kidney failure (as defined by the
triallists or a rise in the plasma creatinine > 0.03 mmol/L or a rise
in the estimated glomerular filtration rate > 25%), diabetes
mellitus/impaired glucose tolerance, gonadal failure (sustained
amenorrhoea or infertility), bone toxicity (avascular necrosis or
fracture), bone marrow toxicity, bladder toxicity (haemorrhagic
cystitis), hypertrichosis, gingival hyperplasia, alopecia, peptic
ulceration.
The following continuous variables were analysed:
End of treatment mean serum creatinine (mmol/L).
End of treatment mean protein excretion rate (g/24 h) or
protein:creatinine ratio (g/mmol).
End of treatment mean serum albumin (g/L).
End of treatment mean serum total cholesterol (mmol/L).
End of treatment mean serum LDL cholesterol/HDL
cholesterol/triglycerides (all mmol/L) and HDL:LDL cholesterol
ratio.
Protein excretion rate at 6, 12 and 24 months (g/24 h) after
treatment.
Duration of complete remission or partial remission
(months).
Types of outcome measures
Search methods for identification of studies

Primary outcome measure
Relevant studies were obtained from the following sources without

language restriction (Appendix 1 - Electronic search strategies):
1. The Cochrane Renal Groups specialised register (January

2007) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials
(CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library issue 1, 2007). CENTRAL
and the Renal Groups specialised register contain the hand
searched results of conference proceedings from general and
speciality meetings. This is an ongoing activity across the
Cochrane Collaboration and is both retrospective and
prospective (Master List 2007).
2. MEDLINE (1966 to January 2007) using the optimally
sensitive strategy developed for the Cochrane Collaboration for
the identification of RCTs (Dickersin 1994) with a specific
strategy developed with input from the Cochrane Renal Group
Trials Search Coordinators.
3. EMBASE (1980 to January 2007) using a search strategy
adapted from that developed for the Cochrane Collaboration for
the identification of RCTs (Lefebvre 1996) together with a
specific search strategy developed with input from the Cochrane
Renal Group Trials Search Coordinators.
4. Reference lists of nephrology textbooks, review articles and
relevant studies.
5. Letters seeking information about unpublished or
incomplete studies to investigators known to be involved in
previous studies.
the checklist developed for the Cochrane Renal Group. Discrepancies were resolved by discussion with GFMS. The quality items assessed were allocation concealment, blinding (participants, investigators, outcome assessors and data analysis), intention-to-treat
analysis and completeness of follow-up.
Quality checklist
Allocation concealment
Adequate (A): Randomisation method described that

would not allow investigator/participant to know or influence
intervention group before eligible participant entered in the
study.
Unclear (B): Randomisation stated but no information on
method used is available.
Inadequate (C): Method of randomisation used such as
alternate medical record numbers or unsealed envelopes; any
information in the study that indicated that investigators or
participants could influence intervention group.
Blinding
Data collection and analysis
Included and excluded studies

The review was undertaken independently by three authors (SCP,
KN, GFMS). The search strategy was used to obtain titles and
abstracts of studies that might be relevant to the review. The titles
and abstracts were screened independently by (SCP) and (KN),
who discarded studies that were not applicable. Studies and reviews that might include relevant data or information on studies
were retained initially. Reviewers (SCP) and (KN) independently
assessed retrieved abstracts and, if necessary, the full text of these
studies, to determine which studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Data extraction was carried out independently by the same
authors using standard data extraction forms. Studies reported in
non-English language journals were translated before assessment.
Any further information to clarify study reporting or to request
additional information from the original author was be requested
by written correspondence and any relevant information obtained
in this manner was be included in the review. Disagreements were
resolved in consultation with (GFMS).
Blinding of investigators: Yes/no/not stated

Blinding of participants: Yes/no/not stated
Blinding of outcome assessor: Yes/no/not stated
Blinding of data analysis: Yes/no/not stated
The above are considered not blinded if the treatment group can
be identified in > 20% of participants because of the side effects
of treatment.
Intention-to-treat analysis
Yes: Specifically reported by authors that intention-to-treat

analysis was undertaken and this was confirmed on study
assessment.
Yes: Not stated but confirmed on study assessment.
No: Not reported and lack of intention-to-treat analysis
confirmed on study assessment. (Patients who were randomised
were not included in the analysis because they did not receive the
study intervention, they withdrew from the study or were not
included because of protocol violation).
No: Stated but not confirmed upon study assessment.
Not stated
Study quality
The quality of studies included was assessed independently by
(SCP) and (KN) without blinding to authorship or journal using
Completeness of follow-up
Per cent of participants excluded or lost to follow-up.
Statistical assessment
For dichotomous outcomes (complete remission, partial remission, doubling of serum creatinine or end-stage kidney disease,
adverse events) results were expressed as a risk ratio (RR) with
95% confidence intervals (CI). Data were pooled using the Der
Simonian Laird random-effects model but the fixed-effect model
was also analysed to ensure robustness of the model chosen and
susceptibility to outliers. Where continuous scales of measurement
were used to assess the effects of treatment (proteinuria, kidney
outcomes, duration of remission), the mean difference (MD) was
used. Heterogeneity was analysed, where applicable, using a chi
squared test on N-1 degrees of freedom, with an alpha of 0.05 used
for statistical significance and with the I test (Higgins 2003).
Subgroup analysis was planned to explore any possible sources
of heterogeneity (e.g. participants, treatments and study quality).

Heterogeneity among participants could have been related to;
age (dichotomised to between 18-40 years and greater than 40
years), kidney function, evidence of glomerulosclerosis on biopsy,
haematuria, hypertension, response to corticosteroids, characteristics of clinical course (partial remission, frequently relapsing disease, steroid dependence, duration of NS), severity of NS, severity
of hyperlipidaemia. Heterogeneity in treatments could have been
related to prior agent(s) used and the agent, dose and duration of
therapy. Adverse effects were tabulated and assessed with descriptive techniques, as they were likely to be different for the various
agents used (Table 1). Where possible, the risk difference with
95% CI was calculated for each adverse effect, either compared to
no treatment or to another agent.
Table 1. Adverse events

Study
Treatment Group
Number of participants
Adverse events
Coggins 1985
Prednisone
14
Psychosis (1); avascular necrosis (1)
Coggins 1985
No treatment
14
Doubling of serum creatinine (3); renal replacement therapy (1)
Imbasciati 1985
Prednisone
11
Thrombosis (1); death (1)
Imbasciati 1985
Methylprednisone and prednisone
11
Pulmonary embolism (1)
Yeung 1983
Methylprednisone
10
Yeung 1983
Prednisone
Gastroenteric bleed (1)
Insufficient RCTs were identified to enable examination for publication bias using a funnel plot (Egger 1997).
RESULTS
Description of studies
See: Characteristics of included studies; Characteristics of excluded
studies.
Figure 1- Flow chart of study identification and selection) details the
progress through the phases of this systematic review. From the
Cochrane Renal Groups specialised register and CENTRAL, 91

citations were received; from MEDLINE 697 citations, and from
EMBASE 3057 citations. Of these 3845 potentially eligible publications 3781 were excluded after title and abstract review. The primary reasons for exclusion of citations were a non-randomised design, not minimal change disease, or a paediatric study population.
Full-text analysis of the remaining 64 publications found three
RCTs for inclusion in this review (Coggins 1985; Imbasciati 1985;
Yeung 1983). The total number of adult patients randomised in
the included studies was 68. No authors responded to our written requests for unpublished study data. Study characteristics are
presented in the table Characteristics of included studies.
Figure 1. Flow chart of study identification and selection
A number of studies comparing treatment regimens containing cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide and high dose steroids for primary
disease, and poorly responsive or relapsing disease were excluded
because they were observational, included children, or included
heterogenous causes of the nephrotic syndrome. The details of
these are presented in the table Characteristics of excluded studies.
This study also reported patients continuing to have 1 g or more

proteinuria during months of follow up (Coggins 1985). Followup was up to 840 days (Yeung 1983), 52.5 months (Imbasciati
1985) and 24 months (Coggins 1985).
Interventions
Cointerventions
Coggins 1985 (28 participants) compared oral prednisone (125

mg alternate daily) with no treatment, Yeung 1983 (18 participants) compared intravenous bolus methylprednisolone alone
with oral prednisone, and Imbasciati 1985 (22 participants) compared intravenous methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisone with oral prednisone alone.
Cointerventions included diuretics (Coggins 1985; Imbasciati

1985; Yeung 1983), a low-salt diet (Imbasciati 1985) and antihypertensive treatment (Imbasciati 1985).
Diagnoses
The three included studies were published over 20 years prior to
this review. Yeung 1983 randomised people with a first episode of
biopsy-proven minimal change disease. Imbasciati 1985 enrolled
adults with the nephrotic syndrome, persisting for at least two
weeks. Patients in this study included those with previous episodes
of the nephrotic syndrome who were included only when they had
achieved a complete remission with steroids at least one year previously. In Coggins 1985 patients had experienced the nephrotic
syndrome for a mean of two months, although it was unclear
whether participants were enrolled during their first or subsequent
episodes of nephrotic syndrome.
Outcomes
Coggins 1985 reported a pretreatment mean level of proteinuria of 9.8 g/d, whereas the degree of proteinuria prior to randomisation was unclear for Imbasciati 1985 and Yeung 1983.
The reporting of biopsy data prior to enrolment was poor and
participants with sclerosing lesions were included in the studies.
Imbasciati 1985 reported evidence of focal glomerular obsolescence in 2/22 participants. Yeung 1983 reported a single repeat
kidney biopsy showing focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis following a poor response to intervention (oral prednisone) despite
an entry biopsy showing normal glomeruli. Coggins 1985 did not
detail biopsy findings. The age of participants was 30 years in
Coggins 1985 and ranged up to 56 years in Imbasciati 1985 and
Yeung 1983. Complete remission events were reported in all studies. Relapses and non-response to treatment were described inconsistently. Imbasciati 1985 and Yeung 1983 detailed one or more
episodes of relapse (including time to relapse) and non-responders
to treatment, while Coggins 1985 reported the non-responders
to intervention, however the number of patients who experienced
relapse of the nephrotic syndrome during follow up was unclear.
Risk of bias in included studies

The quality of studies was difficult to assess because many details
such as methods of allocation concealment, the use of intentionto-treat analysis, methods of blinding and the number of patients
lost to follow-up were difficult to ascertain or were not provided. In
general, study quality was variable and reporting of study method
details was unsatisfactory or incomplete. Of note, all included
studies preceded the CONSORT guidelines for reporting of RCTs
(Begg 1996).
Allocation concealment
Allocation concealment was unclear in all three studies.
Blinding
Blinding of participants and investigators was not used in
Imbasciati 1985 or Yeung 1983, and was unclear in Coggins 1985.
Blinding of outcome assessors was not described in any study.
Intention-to-treat analysis
Intention-to-treat analysis was used in Imbasciati 1985, not stated
in Coggins 1985, and not used in Yeung 1983.
Completeness of follow-up
No participants were lost to follow-up in Coggins 1985 or
Imbasciati 1985, and the loss to follow-up was not stated in Yeung
1983.
Effects of interventions
The identified treatment comparisons were steroid versus no treatment (comparison 01), intravenous steroid plus oral steroid versus
oral steroid alone (comparison 02) and intravenous steroid versus
oral steroid (comparison 03). No other treatment modalities were
assessed. Each treatment comparison contained a single study, and

therefore no meta-analyses were possible.
Steroid versus placebo or no treatment
Coggins 1985 compared alternate daily oral prednisone 125 mg
with no treatment. Treatment was continued for two months.
Prednisone did not increase the number of patients who achieved
complete remission compared with no treatment (Analysis 1.1:
RR 1.44, 95% CI 0.95 to 2.19). No difference was found between treatment groups for the achievement of partial remission
(Analysis 1.2: RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.07 to 14.45) or sustained remission (Analysis 1.3: RR 2.50, 95% CI 0.58 to 10.80). The
likelihood of resolution of oedema was similar between the two
treatment groups (Analysis 1.4: RR 1.21, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.66).
The incidence of adverse events (Analysis 1.5) was similar for each
treatment group including for avascular necrosis (RR 3.00, 95%CI
0.13 to 67.91), doubling of serum creatinine (RR 0.11, 95% CI
0.01 to 1.89), and renal failure (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.01 to 7.55).
The four patients who experienced doubling of serum creatinine
were randomised to no treatment and three achieved subsequent
remission with steroid treatment. The number of patients in each
group who relapsed during the follow-up period was unclear.
Intravenous and oral steroid versus oral steroid alone
Imbasciati 1985 randomly assigned participants to either methylprednisolone 20 mg/kg/d for three days then oral prednisone 0.5
mg/kg/d for four weeks, 0.5 and 0.25 mg/kg alternate days for
four weeks, then 0.5 mg/alternate days for four months, or treatment with oral prednisone 1 mg/kg/d for four weeks, then 1 mg/
kg/alternate days for four weeks, then 0.5 mg/kg on alternate days
for four months. Relapses during treatment were treated according
to the initial treatment allocation. No significant difference was
seen following treatment with intravenous and oral steroid compared with steroid alone for complete remission (Analysis 2.1: RR
0.73, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.08), sustained remission during follow up
(Analysis 2.2: RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.11 to 2.19), all-cause mortality
Analysis 2.3: RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.02 to 7.39) or adverse events
(thrombosis) (Analysis 2.4.1: RR 2.00, 95% CI 0.21 to 18.98).
Six patients in the intravenous plus oral steroid group experienced
13 relapses compared with seven patients who developed 11 relapses in the steroid alone group (Analysis 2.5; RR 1.18, 95% CI
0.65 to 2.15).
Intravenous steroid versus oral steroid
Yeung 1983 randomised participants to either intravenous methylprednisolone 20 mg/kg/d on three consecutive days or to oral prednisone 1 mg/kg/d given for four to six weeks. Patients in the intravenous methylprednisolone group were administered oral prednisone if they failed to respond to initial treatment within two
weeks. Oral prednisone was associated with a significant increase
in episodes of complete remission (Analysis 3.1: RR 4.95, 95%CI

1.15 to 21.26). Four of the six participants (all randomised to
intravenous methylprednisolone) who did not achieve complete
remission within two weeks, and were subsequently administered
oral prednisone, experienced complete remission 14 to 31 days
after commencing oral prednisone. One of the non-responders
demonstrated FSGS on a follow up biopsy. Time to complete remission (days) was similar between study groups (Analysis 3.2:
MD 3.17, 95% CI -9.21 to 15.55). No adverse events were reported for adult participants during follow-up.
Subgroup analyses or assessment for publication bias were not
possible. No ongoing studies were identified.
Adverse events
Adverse events for all treatment regimens are detailed in Table 1 Adverse events.
DISCUSSION
All available RCTs in adults with minimal change disease evaluate treatment of recent onset nephrotic syndrome and compare
prednisone with another steroid regime or with no treatment.
The review identified three vastly different RCTs performed over
two decades, on small numbers of participants without adequate
power to detect differences in therapeutic efficacy. This suggests
these original studies have little relevance to contemporary treatment of minimal change disease in adults. RCT data for treatment of relapsing disease or steroid-resistant disease are absent.
The likelihood of achieving remission within two months of presentation did not differ between alternate-day prednisone and no
immunosuppression in one study, or between intravenous steroid
followed by oral prednisone and oral prednisone alone in another
study. The lack of superior efficacy for prednisone over placebo
for achievement of remission is surprising and probably explained
by the spontaneous remission rate in the small group (N = 14)
prescribed no treatment, such that there was no difference in complete remission between groups at the end of the study (Coggins
1985). In children, studies of steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome
using either higher doses of steroid or an increased duration of
steroid therapy lead to prolonged remission from the nephrotic
syndrome (Hodson 2007). This is echoed by the finding in this
review of a single RCT in adults where continuous oral prednisone
induced complete remission better than short-course (three day)
intravenous steroids, although the small patient numbers could
not exclude the possibility that this treatment advantage was due
to chance alone.
Adult minimal change disease is steroid-responsive in approximately 80% of cases (Meyrier 1988) although up to two-thirds
of adults undergo a relapsing course, and steroid-sensitive forms
may become steroid-dependent. In such cases, repeated or continuous courses of corticosteroid treatment increases the likelihood
of glucocorticoid toxicity. In relapsing paediatric nephrotic syndrome, daily prednisone treatment, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, levamisole, and cyclosporine all significantly reduce the risk
of subsequent relapse (Durkan 2005). No RCT data are available to guide similar treatment for adults, particularly for those
who experience relapse during or after initial treatment, for those
who frequently relapse, or for those who develop steroid dependency. Agents such as cyclosporine (Matsumoto 2004), tacrolimus
(Westhoff 2006) cyclophosphamide, and mycophenolate mofetil
(Mogyorosi 2002) are evaluated in uncontrolled studies of adult
nephrotic syndrome, and may be associated with significant toxicity, including kidney impairment (Ponticelli 1993; Sharpstone
1969; Tejani 1988; Uldall 1972). The lack of available studies
leaves important treatment questions unanswered; what is the optimal dose and duration of steroid treatment in new-onset adult
minimal change disease; how are relapses following steroid-induced remission prevented and treated; and what are the appropriate treatments for steroid-dependent or treatment-resistant minimal change disease?
The absence of evidence to guide management of adults with the
nephrotic syndrome due to minimal change disease is in direct
contrast to the available data for children with the nephrotic syndrome, summarised in three separate Cochrane systematic reviews
(Durkan 2005; Hodson 2006; Hodson 2007). Adult minimal
change disease is a rarer condition and this rarity has presented a
vital barrier to the conduct of adequately powered studies for this
population. The incidence of (all-cause) nephrotic syndrome in
children approaches 2/100,000, probably an order of magnitude
more frequent than the condition in adults (Arneil 1961). Moreover, studies in adults with minimal change disease, published
in the 1970s, showed an early and dramatic decrease in proteinuria following prednisone therapy (Black 1970; Gulati 1973).
This profound before and after evidence to support the use of
steroids in adult minimal change disease lead to the widespread
adoption of this empirical approach. No subsequent adequately
powered studies to examine the efficacy and toxicity of steroids
were conducted. The low incidence of the disease in adults has
also prevented adequate RCTs to evaluate treatment for steroiddependent or relapsing disease
The combination of causes for nephrotic syndrome together
into RCTs has commonly occurred for adults. Frequently adults
with minimal change disease have been combined in interventional studies with adults with focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (Lee 1995; Meyrier 1988; Ponticelli 1993), membranous
nephropathy (Black 1970; Mansy 1989), and membrano-proliferative disease (Gulati 1973). In order to maximise recruitment
previous studies have also enrolled both adults and children with
minimal change disease into the same study. This approach is
problematic as the study populations are necessarily heterogenous
and the applicability of such research findings to individuals with

adult minimal change disease is limited. This is particularly true
where adults are enrolled in studies with children, and where patients with sclerosing glomerular lesions are combined with patients with minimal change disease. The heterogenous response of
these different populations to treatment demands that any future
studies enrol adults with biopsy-proven minimal change disease
alone.
An international collaborative group to organise multicentre studies of therapy in adult glomerular disease would facilitate the conduct of such studies. The funding of the European Vasculitis Study
Group in 1993 is such an example of a collaborative international
network coordinated with a central secretariat to ensure appropriate studies of rare diseases are conducted in vasculitis (EUVAS
2006). This group has published a large body of well-conducted
research to guide therapy for vasculitis. For primary glomerulopathies a similar collaborative network could facilitate international studies of treatments that have previously been shown to be
efficacious in children and in observational studies in adults. In
adults with new-onset nephrotic syndrome comparisons of different durations and doses of corticosteroids should be considered.
Non-corticosteroid based immunosuppression should be assessed
in steroid-dependent, steroid-resistant, and relapsing disease, focusing on the duration of remission, kidney outcomes, and treatment-related toxicity.
AUTHORS CONCLUSIONS
Implications for practice
This review has generated no evidence to support the efficacy of
any agent for induction or prolongation of remission for adults
with the nephrotic syndrome caused by minimal change disease.
The lack of statistical evidence of efficacy associated with prednisone therapy was based on data derived from a single study that
compared alternate-day prednisone to no immunosuppression
with only a small number of participants in each group. The results should be treated with caution due to the small numbers
of studies available. No information is available to guide the use
of non-steroid immunosuppression either following the first presentation of nephrotic syndrome or relapsing or steroid-resistant
adult minimal change disease. There are insufficient data to determine whether time-to-remission was significantly influenced by
any treatments in this review.
Implications for research

Future adequately powered RCTs are required to compare the
benefits and harms of;
Prednisone for the first episode of minimal change disease,
comparing different doses and durations of treatment.
10
Cyclosporine, tacrolimus, or alkylating agents for relapsing

disease or steroid-resistant disease, with a focus on duration on
remission, kidney outcomes, and toxicity.
Narelle Willis, Review Group Coordinator and Ruth

Mitchell, Trials Search Coordinator of the Cochrane Renal
Group for their help with this review.
Drs Ponticelli and Goodship for their replies to requests for
additional data.
Drs Norbert Braun, Tak-Mao Chan, Richard Glassock and
Charles Swainson for their editorial advice during the
preparation of this review.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors wish to thank:
REFERENCES
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Ye R, Zhang D. Contrasting efficacy of two different

treatment programs in adult frequently relapsing nephrotic
syndrome [abstract]. Journal of the American Society of
Nephrology 1993;4(Program & Abstracts). [CENTRAL:
CN00486532]
Yoshikawa 1995 {published data only}
Yoshikawa N, Tanaka R, Kitano Y, Nakamura H, Ito

H. Long-term cyclosporin in steroid-dependent nephrotic
syndrome. Contributions to Nephrology 1995;114:1927.
[MEDLINE: 7587196]
Additional references
Al Khader 1979
Al-Khader AA, Lien JW, Aber GM. Cyclophosphamide
alone in the treatment of adult patients with minimal
change glomerulonephritis. Clinical Nephrology 1979;11
(1):2630. [MEDLINE: 428152]
Arneil 1961
Arneil GC. 164 children with nephrosis. Lancet 1961;II:
110310.
Begg 1996
Begg C, Cho M, Eastwood S, Horton R, Moher D, Olkin
I, et al.Improving the quality of reporting of randomized
controlled trials. The CONSORT statement. JAMA 1996;
276(8):6379. [MEDLINE: 8773637]
Briggs 1998
Briggs WA, Choi MJ, Scheel PJ Jr. Successful
mycophenolate mofetil treatment of glomerular disease.
American Journal of Kidney Diseases 1998;31(2):2137.
[MEDLINE: 9469489]
Day 2002
Day CJ, Cockwell P, Lipkin GW, Savage CO, Howie
AJ, Adu D. Mycophenolate mofetil in the treatment
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12401863]
Dickersin 1994
Dickersin K, Scherer R, Lefebvre C. Identifying relevant
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128691. [MEDLINE: 7718048]
Durkan 2005
Durkan A, Hodson EM, Willis NS, Craig JC. Noncorticosteroid treatment for nephrotic syndrome in
children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005,
Issue 2. [Art. No.: CD002290. DOI: 10.1002/
14651858.CD002290.pub2]
14
Egger 1997
Egger M, Davey-Smith G, Schneider M, Minder C. Bias
in meta-analysis detected by a simple graphical test. BMJ
1997;315(7109):62934. [MEDLINE: 9310563]
EUVAS 2006
The European Vasculitis Study Group. http://
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Grimbert 2003
Grimbert P, Audard V, Remy P, Lang P, Sahali D. Recent
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Haas 1995
Haas M, Spargo BH, Coventry S. Increasing incidence
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Hodson 2006
Hodson EM, Habashy D, Craig JC. Interventions
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Hodson 2007
Hodson EM, Willis NS, Craig JC. Corticosteroid therapy
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Johnson 2003
Johnson RJ, Feehally J (editors). Comprehensive clinical
nephrology. 2nd Edition. Edinburgh: Mosby, Elsevier
Limited, 2003.
Korbet 1996
Korbet SM, Genchi RM, Borok RZ, Schwartz MM. The
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Lefebvre 1996
Lefebvre C, McDonald S. Development of a sensitive
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in EMBASE. Fourth International Cochrane Colloquium;
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Mak 1996
Mak SK, Short CD, Mallick NP. Long-term outcome of
adult-onset minimal-change nephropathy. Nephrology
Dialysis Transplantation 1996;11(11):2192201.
[MEDLINE: 8941578]
Master List 2007
United States Cochrane Center. Master list of journals being
searched. http://apps1.jhsph.edu/cochrane/masterlist.asp
(accessed May 2007).
Mogyorosi 2002
Mogyorosi A, Lippman HR, Feldman GM. Successful
treatment of steroid-resistant minimal change disease with
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Nakayama 2002
Nakayama M, Katafuchi R, Yanase T, Ikeda K, Tanaka
H, Fuijimi S. Steroid responsiveness and frequency of
relapse in adult-onset minimal change nephrotic syndrome.
[MEDLINE: 11877569]
Nolasco 1986
Nolasco F, Cameron JS, Heywood EF, Hicks J, Ogg C,
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Patel P, Pal S, Ashley C, Sweny P, Burns A. Combination
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Schweda 1997
Schweda F, Liebl R, Riegger GA, Kramer BK. Tacrolimus
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9394341]
Tse 2003
Tse KC, Lam MF, Yip PS, Li FK, Choy BY, Lai KN, et
al.Idiopathic minimal change nephrotic syndrome in older
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[MEDLINE: 12808168]
Westhoff 2006
Westhoff TH, Schmidt S, Zidek W, Beige J, van der Giet
M. Tacrolimus in steroid-resistant and steroid-dependent
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393400. [MEDLINE: 16792133]
Woo 2001
Woo KT, Chew ST, Vathsala A, Chiang GS. Case reports of
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Indicates the major publication for the study
15
CHARACTERISTICS OF STUDIES
Characteristics of included studies [ordered by study ID]

Coggins 1985
Methods
Country: United States

Setting/Design: Collaborative placebo-controlled RCT
Time Frame: NS
Randomisation method: NS
Blinding
- Participants: NS
- Investigators: NS
- Outcome assessors: NS
- Data analyses: NS
Intention-to-treat: NS
Follow-up period: 77 months
Loss to follow-up: 0%
Participants
INCLUSION CRITERIA
Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome of minimal change disease
GROUP 1 (prednisone)
Number: 14
Age: 29 years
GROUP 2 (no treatment)
Number: 14
Age: 32 years
Interventions
GROUP 1
Prednisone 125 mg PO given in alternate-day doses for 2 months.
Relapses were re-treated.
GROUP 2
No treatment.
If patient reached stop points (including doubling of admission creatinine) they were withdrawn from
the placebo group and treated with steroids.
COINTERVENTIONS: NS
Outcomes
1. Complete remission prior to Stop Point (doubling of admission creatinine, severe steroid toxicity,
and undefined other bad outcomes)
2. Complete remission
3. Partial remission
4. Time to remission (months)
5. Doubling of serum creatinine
6. Kidney failure
7. Steroid-related toxicity (avascular necrosis)
8. Mean end of treatment serum creatinine
Notes
Exclusions post-randomisation but pre-intervention: NS

Additional data requested from authors: Method of randomisation, allocation concealment
COMPLETENESS OF FOLLOW-UP
16
Coggins 1985
(Continued)
Eligible/considered for inclusion = NS; Enrolled/randomised = 28; Analysed = 28 ; Percent followed =

100
Risk of bias
Item
Authors judgement
Description
Allocation concealment?
Unclear
B - Unclear
Imbasciati 1985
Methods
Country: Italy
Setting/Design: Multicentre RCT
Time Frame: June 1980 to June 1983
Randomisation method: Table of random numbers kept in one centre
Blinding
- Participants: No
- Investigators: No
- Data analyses: NS
Intention-to-treat: Yes
Follow-up period: 12-24 months
Loss to follow-up: 0%
Participants
INCLUSION CRITERIA
1. Proteinuria > 3.5 g/24 h persisting for at least 2 weeks and plasma albumin concentration < 25 g/L.
2. No secondary cause for nephrotic syndrome.
3. Not been treated with steroids or cytotoxic agents for at least one year before admission.
4. Kidney biopsy shows clear histological picture consistent with MCD.
GROUP 1 (Methylprednisone + prednisone)
Number: 11
Age: NS
GROUP 2 (Prednisone alone)
Number: 11
Age: NS
Interventions
GROUP 1
Methylprednisone 20 mg/kg/d IV for 3 days; then prednisone 0.5 mg/kg/d for 4 weeks PO; then 0.250.5 mg/kg/alternate days PO for 4 weeks; then 0.5 mg/kg/alternate days PO for 4 months.
GROUP 2
Prednisone 1 mg/kg/d for 4 weeks; then 1 mg/kg/alternate days for 4 weeks; then 0.5 mg/kg on alternate
days 4 months.
COINTERVENTIONS
Low salt diet, diuretics, anti-hypertensive changes as needed.
Outcomes
1.
2.
3.
4.
Complete remission within 8 weeks of treatment

Time to remission (days)
Relapse of nephrotic syndrome during follow-up
Number of relapses/patient/year follow-up
17
Imbasciati 1985
(Continued)
5. Proportion of patients remaining in remission

6. Treatment-related toxicity
7. Nephrotic syndrome-related adverse events
Notes
Exclusions post-randomisation but pre-intervention: 0

Additional data requested from authors: Allocation concealment, age of participants, mean time to remission
Eligible/considered for inclusion = NS; Enrolled/randomised = 89; Analysed = 89; Percent followed = 100
Risk of bias
Item
Authors judgement
Description
Unclear
B - Unclear
Yeung 1983
Methods
Country: Hong Kong

Setting/Design:Single university centre RCT
Time Frame: NS
Randomisation method: NS
Blinding
- Participants: No
- Investigators: No
- Data analyses: NS
Intention-to-treat: No
Follow-up period: Up to 750 days
Loss to follow-up: NS
Participants
INCLUSION CRITERIA
Biopsy-proven minimal change nephrotic syndrome, first episode
GROUP 1 (methylprednisolone)
Number: 10 (1 F)
Age: mean 29.0 y
GROUP 2 (prednisone)
Number: 8 (3 F)
Age: mean 22.4 y
Interventions
GROUP 1
Methylprednisolone 20 mg/kg/d IV on three consecutive days; then prednisone 1-2 mg/kg/d 2 weeks
after methylprednisolone dose as maintenance if response to methylprednisolone.
If no response within 2 weeks re-allocated to oral prednisone.
GROUP 2
Prednisone 1 mg/kg/d for 4-6 weeks
COINTERVENTIONS
Diuretics
18
Yeung 1983
(Continued)
Outcomes
1.
2.
3.
4.
Notes
Complete remission
Time to complete remission (days)
Duration of first remission
Treatment related toxicity
Exclusions post-randomisation but pre-intervention: NS

Additional data requested from authors: Study quality data
Eligible/considered for inclusion = NS; Enrolled/randomised = 18; Analysed = 18 ; Percent followed =
100
Risk of bias
Item
Authors judgement
Description
Unclear
B - Unclear
MCD - minimal change disease; NS - not stated
Characteristics of excluded studies [ordered by study ID]
Study
Reason for exclusion
Abaigar 1993
Individuals with NS caused by non-MCD comparing two levels of dietary protein intake. (Not MCD)
Arora 2002
Case control study of patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (N = 15) receiving either ACE inhibitor or
supportive treatment. No patient had MCD. (Not MCD)
Bagga 1997
RCT in children comparing two regimens for prednisone treatment of childhood NS. (Not adult NS)
Bagga 1999
Study in childhood NS. (Not adult NS)
Bargman 1999
Review article of treatment for MCD in adults and children. (Not RCT)
Beige 2003
Abstract of pilot observational study of tacrolimus to treat adults (N = 7) with steroid-resistant or relapsing NS.
Three individuals had MCD. (Not RCT)
Black 1970
Multicentre RCT of oral prednisone compared with no treatment in 125 people (aged 15 years and over), with
the NS. Causes of the syndrome were MCD, membranous nephropathy, and proliferative glomerulonephritis.
Unable to interpret outcomes in MCD category due to inadequate baseline data.
Broyer 1995
RCT in paediatric NS. (Not adult NS)
19
(Continued)
Choi 2002
Retrospective analysis of mycophenolate mofetil in biopsy proven glomerular disease complicated by NS and/or
kidney failure. (Not RCT)
Cole 1994
Commentary regarding need for collaborative study in childhood NS caused by MCD. (Not RCT)
Deighan 2001
RCT cross-over design study of adults with proteinuria >3 g/d, biopsy proven glomerulonephritis comparing
cerivastatin with fenofibrate. Two out of 12 patients had MCD. (Not MCD)
Dilek 1999
Controlled prospective study comparing enalapril with losartan in NS. Single patient had MCD. (Not MCD)
Don 1989
RCT in 12 individuals with NS comparing reduction in dietary protein intake with enalapril. No patients had
MCD. (Not MCD)
El-Reshaid 1995
Observational study of cyclosporine in refractory adult nephrotic syndrome > 4 months. (Not RCT)
Gentile 1993
RCT comparing vegetarian soy diet with or without fish oil supplements. Not all participants had NS. No patient
had biopsy-proven MCD. (Not NS, not MCD)
Groggel 1989
RCT comparing gemfibrozil with no treatment in adult NS (N = 11). No participant had MCD. (Not MCD)
Gulati 1973
Patients between 13 and 56 years with NS and biopsy-proven glomerular disease. Randomised study comparing
prednisolone with placebo. Fourteen of 42 participants with MCD. (Not MCD)
Ishikawa 1982
Not MCD.
Koike 2002
Observational study. (Not RCT)
Kumar 2004
RCT comparing ramipril with verapamil in adults with idiopathic NS not showing reduction in proteinuria
despite 12 weeks of oral prednisone 2 mg/kg on alternate days. No patient had biopsy-proven MCD. (Not MCD)
Lee 1995
Observational study of the efficacy and tolerability of cyclosporine in 30 patients with adult NS. Rate of relapse
after withdrawal was assessed after treatment. (Not RCT)
Leisti 1978
Paediatric study. (Not adult NS)
Mansy 1989
RCT cross-over study of 3 levels of protein intake in patients with NS. Two of 12 patients had biopsy proven
MCD. (Not MCD)
Martins 1994
Observational single-arm study. Open prospective 2-year study of lovastatin in biopsy-proven primary NS. (Not
RCT)
Matl 1997
Quasi-RCT of 30 patients with chronic glomerular disease proven by biopsy and protein excretion rate higher
than 3 g/d randomised to either cyclosporine (5 mg/kg/d) or cyclophosphamide (1.5 mg/kg/d) for 6 months or
until remission. Combined aetiology for NS. (Non MCD)
Matsubara 2002
Correspondence describing 2 case reports of combined therapy with camostat mesilate and glycyrrhin for steroiddependent NS. (Not RCT)
20
(Continued)
Matsumoto 2004
Prospective non-randomised study of methylprednisolone + cyclosporine versus cyclosporine versus prednisone

in 36 adults with biopsy-proven MCD and NS. (Not RCT)
Matzkies 1999
Observational study of fluvastatin (N = 10) in adults with all-cause NS. (Not RCT)
Meyrier 1988
Observational study of cyclosporine treatment in 56 participants over 14 years of age with NS, MCD in 23.
(Not RCT)
Meyrier 1991
Two single arm observational studies in patients with NS (either cyclosporine monotherapy or cyclosporine and
prednisone). (Not RCT)
Meyrier 1994
Longitudinal follow up study of cyclosporine in 36 adults with steroid-dependent or steroid-resistant idiopathic

NS. (Not RCT)
Meyrier 1996
Review article of the utility of cyclosporine treatment for NS in adults. (Not RCT)
Mocan 1997
Paediatric participants. (Not adult NS)
Naigui 1997
RCT for cyclosporine versus prednisone and cyclophosphamide versus prednisone in nephrotic syndrome. Undefined numbers of patients had NS caused by MCD, focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous
nephropathy and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. (Not MCD)
Ni 2003
Unclear whether RCT. Comparison of leflunomide and prednisone with cyclophosphamide and prednisone in
41 patients with NS (MCD=12). (Not RCT, not MCD)
Niaudet 1994
Review article. (Not RCT)
Olbricht 1999
RCT of simvastatin versus placebo in 56 patients with NS. No patient had MCD. (Not MCD)
Pecoraro 2003
Paediatric study. (Not adult NS)
Piccoli 1993
RCT comparing deflazacort and prednisone for adults with NS. No patients with MCD were enrolled. (NonMCD)
Pirisi 1998
Observational study of immunosuppression in NS (No patient with MCD was enrolled). (Not MCD, not RCT)
Ponticelli 1993
Multicentre RCT of 73 patients (adults and children) comparing cyclophosphamide with cyclosporine in steroid
dependent or frequently relapsing idiopathic NS. Included people with a kidney biopsy showing focal and
segmental glomerulosclerosis.
Ponticelli 1993A
RCT of cyclosporine in steroid-resistant idiopathic NS. Included people with either MCD or focal segmental
glomerulosclerosis.
Rabelink 1988
RCT of simvastatin versus cholestyramine in NS. No patient had MCD. (Not MCD)
Reichert 1999
Pharmacokinetic observational study of prednisone in all-cause NS. No patient had MCD. (Not RCT)
21
(Continued)
Sharpstone 1969
RCT of 8-week courses of prednisone with or without azathioprine. Patients entering study with MCD were not
randomised. (Not RCT)
Shibasaki 2004
Comparative study of mizoribine versus standard care in steroid resistant NS. 28/175 had NS caused by MCD
or focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (combine histological category). (Not MCD)
Spitalewitz 1993
Prospective double-blind placebo-controlled study of pravastatin versus placebo in patients with NS. No patient
had MCD. (Not MCD)
Sural 2001
RCT of levamisole versus steroid and cyclophosphamide in childhood NS. (Not adult NS)
Tejani 1988
Children (1-18 years) with NS > 1 year randomised to high-dose prednisone versus cyclosporine and low-dose
prednisone. (Not adult NS)
Thomas 1993
Patients with sub-nephrotic range proteinuria, steroid-responsive MCD was an exclusion criteria. (Not MCD,
Not NS)
Toto 2000
RCT of adults with NS from any glomerular cause (not described in detail) dichotomised into those with
hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidaemia. (Not MCD)
Uldall 1972
Observational study of cyclophosphamide in 10 individuals with NS due to MCD. (Not RCT)
Wyszynska 1988
Single arm study in children. (Not RCT)
Ye 1993
Cause of NS not defined. RCT comparing short duration prednisone (< 8 weeks) versus longer duration (> 8
weeks). (Not MCD)
Yoshikawa 1995
Observational study in children. (Not RCT)
MCD - minimal change disease; NS - nephrotic syndrome
22
DATA AND ANALYSES
Comparison 1. Steroid versus placebo or no treatment
Outcome or subgroup title

1 Complete remission
2 Partial remission
3 Sustained remission during
follow-up
4 Loss of oedema
5 Adverse events
5.1 Avascular necrosis
5.2 Doubling serum creatinine
5.3 Kidney failure
No. of
studies
No. of
participants
Statistical method
Effect size
1
1
1
Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI)

Totals not selected

Totals not selected
Totals not selected
1
1
1
1
1

Totals not selected

Totals not selected
3.00 [0.13, 67.91]
0.11 [0.01, 1.89]
0.33 [0.01, 7.55]
Comparison 2. Intravenous + oral steroid versus oral steroid

2 Sustained remission during
follow-up
3 All-cause mortality
4 Adverse events
4.1 Thrombosis
5 Relapse
No. of
studies
No. of
participants
Statistical method
Effect size
1
1

Totals not selected

Totals not selected
1
1
1
1

Totals not selected

Totals not selected
Not estimable
Totals not selected
Comparison 3. Intravenous steroid versus oral steroid

2 Time to complete remission
(days)
No. of
studies
1
1
No. of
participants
Statistical method
Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)
Effect size
Totals not selected
Totals not selected
23
Analysis 1.1. Comparison 1 Steroid versus placebo or no treatment, Outcome 1 Complete remission.
Review:
Comparison: 1 Steroid versus placebo or no treatment

Outcome: 1 Complete remission
Study or subgroup
Coggins 1985
Prednisone
Placebo
n/N
n/N
13/14
9/14
Risk Ratio
Risk Ratio
M-H,Random,95% CI
M-H,Random,95% CI
1.44 [ 0.95, 2.19 ]
0.5
0.7
1.5
Favours placebo
Favours prednisone
Analysis 1.2. Comparison 1 Steroid versus placebo or no treatment, Outcome 2 Partial remission.
Review:

Outcome: 2 Partial remission
Study or subgroup
Coggins 1985
Prednisone
Placebo/No treatment
n/N
n/N
1/14
1/14
Risk Ratio
Risk Ratio
M-H,Random,95% CI
M-H,Random,95% CI
1.00 [ 0.07, 14.45 ]
0.01
0.1
Favours placebo
10
100
Favours prednisone
24
Analysis 1.3. Comparison 1 Steroid versus placebo or no treatment, Outcome 3 Sustained remission during
follow-up.
Review:

Outcome: 3 Sustained remission during follow-up
Study or subgroup
Coggins 1985
Prednisone
Placebo
n/N
n/N
5/14
2/14
Risk Ratio
Risk Ratio
M-H,Random,95% CI
M-H,Random,95% CI
2.50 [ 0.58, 10.80 ]
0.01
0.1
10
Favours placebo
100
Favours prednisone
Analysis 1.4. Comparison 1 Steroid versus placebo or no treatment, Outcome 4 Loss of oedema.
Review:

Outcome: 4 Loss of oedema
Study or subgroup
Coggins 1985
Prednisone
No treatment
n/N
n/N
12/12
9/11
Risk Ratio
Risk Ratio
M-H,Random,95% CI
M-H,Random,95% CI
1.21 [ 0.89, 1.66 ]
0.5
0.7
Favours prednisone
1.5
Favours no treatment
25
Analysis 1.5. Comparison 1 Steroid versus placebo or no treatment, Outcome 5 Adverse events.
Review:

Outcome: 5 Adverse events
Study or subgroup
Prednisone
No treatment
n/N
n/N
Risk Ratio
Risk Ratio
1/14
0/14
3.00 [ 0.13, 67.91 ]
0/14
4/14
0.11 [ 0.01, 1.89 ]
0/14
1/14
0.33 [ 0.01, 7.55 ]
M-H,Random,95% CI
M-H,Random,95% CI
1 Avascular necrosis
Coggins 1985
2 Doubling serum creatinine
Coggins 1985
3 Kidney failure
Coggins 1985
0.001 0.01 0.1
Favours prednisone
10 100 1000
Favours placebo
Analysis 2.1. Comparison 2 Intravenous + oral steroid versus oral steroid, Outcome 1 Complete remission.
Review:
Comparison: 2 Intravenous + oral steroid versus oral steroid

Study or subgroup
Imbasciati 1985
IV + oral steroid
Oral steroid
n/N
n/N
8/11
11/11
Risk Ratio
Risk Ratio
M-H,Random,95% CI
M-H,Random,95% CI
0.74 [ 0.50, 1.08 ]
0.5
0.7
Favours oral steriod
1.5
Favours IV + oral
26
Analysis 2.2. Comparison 2 Intravenous + oral steroid versus oral steroid, Outcome 2 Sustained remission
during follow-up.
Review:

Outcome: 2 Sustained remission during follow-up
Study or subgroup
Imbasciati 1985
IV + oral steroid
Oral steroid
n/N
n/N
2/11
4/11
Risk Ratio
Risk Ratio
M-H,Random,95% CI
M-H,Random,95% CI
0.50 [ 0.11, 2.19 ]
0.1 0.2
0.5
Favours oral steroid
10
Favours IV + oral
Analysis 2.3. Comparison 2 Intravenous + oral steroid versus oral steroid, Outcome 3 All-cause mortality.
Review:

Outcome: 3 All-cause mortality
Study or subgroup
Imbasciati 1985
IV + oral steroid
Oral steroid
n/N
n/N
0/11
1/11
Risk Ratio
Risk Ratio
M-H,Random,95% CI
M-H,Random,95% CI
0.33 [ 0.02, 7.39 ]
0.01
0.1
Favours IV + oral
10
100
27
Analysis 2.4. Comparison 2 Intravenous + oral steroid versus oral steroid, Outcome 4 Adverse events.
Review:

Outcome: 4 Adverse events
Study or subgroup
IV + oral steroid
Oral steroid
n/N
n/N
2/11
1/11
Risk Ratio
Risk Ratio
M-H,Random,95% CI
M-H,Random,95% CI
1 Thrombosis
Imbasciati 1985
2.00 [ 0.21, 18.98 ]
0.01
0.1
Favours IV + oral
10
100
Analysis 2.5. Comparison 2 Intravenous + oral steroid versus oral steroid, Outcome 5 Relapse.
Review:

Outcome: 5 Relapse
Study or subgroup
Imbasciati 1985
IV + oral steroid
Oral steroid
n/N
n/N
6/8
7/11
Risk Ratio
Risk Ratio
M-H,Random,95% CI
M-H,Random,95% CI
1.18 [ 0.65, 2.15 ]
0.2
0.5
Favours IV + oral
28
Analysis 3.1. Comparison 3 Intravenous steroid versus oral steroid, Outcome 1 Complete remission.
Review:
Comparison: 3 Intravenous steroid versus oral steroid

Study or subgroup
Yeung 1983
Oral steroid
IV steroid
n/N
n/N
6/6
1/7
Risk Ratio
Risk Ratio
M-H,Random,95% CI
M-H,Random,95% CI
4.95 [ 1.15, 21.26 ]
0.01
0.1
Favours IV steroid
10
100
Analysis 3.2. Comparison 3 Intravenous steroid versus oral steroid, Outcome 2 Time to complete
remission (days).
Review:
Comparison: 3 Intravenous steroid versus oral steroid

Outcome: 2 Time to complete remission (days)
Study or subgroup
Yeung 1983
IV steroid
Oral steroid
Mean Difference
Mean(SD)
Mean(SD)
20 (10.2)
16.83 (10.7)
Mean Difference
IV,Random,95% CI
IV,Random,95% CI
3.17 [ -9.21, 15.55 ]
-20
-10
Favours IV steroid
10
20
29
APPENDICES
Appendix 1. Electronic search strategies
Database
Search terms
EMBASE
1. exp clinical trial/

2. comparative study/
3. drug comparison/
4. major clinical study/
5. randomisation/
6. crossover procedure/
7. double blind procedure/
8. single blind procedure/
9. placebo/
10. prospective study/
11. ((clinical or controlled or comparative or placebo or prospective or randomi#ed) adj3 (trial or study)).ti,ab.
12. (random$ adj7 (allocat$ or allot$ or assign$ or basis$ or divid$ or order$)).ti,ab.
13. ((singl$ or doubl$ or trebl$ or tripl$) adj7 (blind$ or mask$)).ti,ab.
14. (cross?over$ or (cross adj1 over$)).ti,ab.
15. ((allocat$ or allot$ or assign$ or divid$) adj3 (condition$ or experiment$ or intervention$ or treatment$ or therap$
or control$ or group$)).ti,ab.
16. or/1-10
17. or/11-15
18. 16 or 17
19. minimal change glomerulonephritis/
20. Lipoid Nephrosis/
21. minimal change disease.tw.
22. minimal change glomerulonephritis.tw.
23. minimal change nephr$.tw.
24. nil disease.tw.
25. lipoid nephrosis.tw.
26. idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.tw.
27. or/19-26 1. exp clinical trial/
2. comparative study/
3. drug comparison/
4. major clinical study/
5. randomisation/
6. crossover procedure/
7. double blind procedure/
8. single blind procedure/
9. placebo/
10. prospective study/
11. ((clinical or controlled or comparative or placebo or prospective or randomi#ed) adj3 (trial or study)).ti,ab.
12. (random$ adj7 (allocat$ or allot$ or assign$ or basis$ or divid$ or order$)).ti,ab.
13. ((singl$ or doubl$ or trebl$ or tripl$) adj7 (blind$ or mask$)).ti,ab.
14. (cross?over$ or (cross adj1 over$)).ti,ab.
15. ((allocat$ or allot$ or assign$ or divid$) adj3 (condition$ or experiment$ or intervention$ or treatment$ or therap$
or control$ or group$)).ti,ab.
30
(Continued)
16. or/1-10
17. or/11-15
18. 16 or 17
19. minimal change glomerulonephritis/
20. Lipoid Nephrosis/
23. minimal change nephr$.tw.
24. nil disease.tw.
27. or/19-26
CENTRAL
#1 Nephrosis, Lipoid, this term only in MeSH products

#2 lipoid next nephrosis in All Fields
#3 minimal next change next disease in All Fields
#4 minimal next change next glomerul* in All Fields
#5 minimal next change next nephr* in All Fields
#6 nil next disease in All Fields
#7 idiopathic next nephrotic next syndrome in All Fields
#8 (#1 OR #2 OR #3 OR #4 OR #5 OR #6 OR #7)
MEDLINE
1. randomized controlled trial.pt.

2. controlled clinical trial.pt.
3. randomized controlled trials/
4. random allocation/
5. double blind method/
6. single blind method/
7. or/1-7
8. animals/ not (animals/ and human/)
9. 7 not 8
10. clinical trial.pt.
11. exp clinical trials/
12. (clinic$ adj25 trial$).ti,ab.
13. cross-over studies/
14. (crossover or cross-over or cross over).tw.
15. ((singl$ or doubl$ or trebl$ or tripl$) adj25 (blind$ or mask$)).tw.
16. placebos/
17. placebo$.ti,ab.
18. random$.ti,ab.
19. research design/
20. or/10-19
21. 20 not 8
22. 9 or 21
23. Nephrosis Lipoid/
26. minimal change nephro$.tw.
27. nil disease.tw.
31
(Continued)

30. or/23-29
WHATS NEW
Last assessed as up-to-date: 31 October 2007.
Date
Event
Description
13 August 2009
Amended
Contact details updated.
HISTORY
Protocol first published: Issue 3, 2006
Review first published: Issue 1, 2008
Date
Event
Description
14 May 2008
Amended
Converted to new review format.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF AUTHORS
Writing of protocol and review - SCP, KN, GFMS
Screening of titles and abstracts - SCP, KN
Assessment for inclusion - SCP, KN
Quality assessment - SCP, KN
Data extraction - SCP, KN
Data entry into RevMan - SCP, KN
Data analysis - SCP, KN
Disagreement resolution - SCP, KN, GFMS
32
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None known.
INDEX TERMS
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents [ therapeutic use]; Immunosuppressive Agents [ therapeutic use]; Methylprednisolone [therapeutic use];
Nephrosis, Lipoid [complications; drug therapy]; Nephrotic Syndrome [ drug therapy; etiology]; Prednisone [therapeutic use]; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Remission Induction
MeSH check words

Adult; Humans
33

Nsaids Minimal Change Disease

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Nsaids Minimal Change Disease

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Nsaids Minimal Change Disease

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Interventions for minimal change disease in adults with

nephrotic syndrome (Review)

Interventions for minimal change disease in adults with

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

varies depending on the population studied and is reported as 1/

tory drugs (NSAIDs), heparinoids, and hydroxymethylglutaryl

The response rates to immunosuppressive agents in adult minimal

The treatment of adult-onset minimal change disease appears to

Criteria for considering studies for this review

Studies enrolling paediatric patients were excluded as these were

Number of patients who achieved complete remission

Secondary outcome measures

Number of patients who achieve partial remission with

Types of outcome measures

Search methods for identification of studies

Relevant studies were obtained from the following sources without

1. The Cochrane Renal Groups specialised register (January

Adequate (A): Randomisation method described that

Data collection and analysis

Included and excluded studies

Blinding of investigators: Yes/no/not stated

Yes: Specifically reported by authors that intention-to-treat

Per cent of participants excluded or lost to follow-up.

of heterogeneity (e.g. participants, treatments and study quality).

Table 1. Adverse events

Psychosis (1); avascular necrosis (1)

Doubling of serum creatinine (3); renal replacement therapy (1)

Thrombosis (1); death (1)

Methylprednisone and prednisone

Pulmonary embolism (1)

Gastroenteric bleed (1)

Cochrane Renal Groups specialised register and CENTRAL, 91

Figure 1. Flow chart of study identification and selection

This study also reported patients continuing to have 1 g or more

Coggins 1985 (28 participants) compared oral prednisone (125

Cointerventions included diuretics (Coggins 1985; Imbasciati

Risk of bias in included studies

assessed. Each treatment comparison contained a single study, and

in episodes of complete remission (Analysis 3.1: RR 4.95, 95%CI

and the applicability of such research findings to individuals with

Implications for research

Cyclosporine, tacrolimus, or alkylating agents for relapsing

Narelle Willis, Review Group Coordinator and Ruth

References to studies included in this review

Coggins CH. Adult minimal change nephropathy:

Imbasciati E, Gusmano R, Edefonti A, Zucchelli P, Pozzi

Yeung CK, Wong KL, Ng WL. Intravenous

References to studies excluded from this review

Abaigar LP, Torres G, Vazquez A, De Toro R, Santos J,

Arora A, Ahlawat RS, Arora S, Mandel AK. Randomised

Bagga A, Ekka BK, Srivastava RN. Single versus

Bagga 1999 {published data only}

Bagga A, Hari P, Srivastava RN. Prolonged versus standard

Bargman JM. Management of minimal lesion

Beige J, Moosmayer I, Liefeldt L, Neumayer HH, Zidek

Black DA, Rose G, Brewer DB. Controlled trial of

Broyer M, Terzi F, Gagnadoux MF, Guest G, Niaudet P.

Cole B. Cyclosporine for nephrotic syndrome--isnt it time

Deighan 2001 {published data only}