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The following is a summary of “Burden of corticosteroid therapy in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN): a systematic literature review,” published in the May 2025 issue of BMC Nephrology by Ali et al. 

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) was recognized as a common primary glomerulonephritis (GN) worldwide, with treatment typically involving background therapy and short-term corticosteroids for patients at high-risk of chronic kidney disease.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to analyze the global burden of corticosteroid treatment in individuals with IgAN.  

They searched Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane CENTRAL for articles published in any language from January 1, 2013, to August 24, 2023. Studies reporting at least 1 outcome related to the clinical, humanistic, or economic burden of corticosteroids in patients with IgAN were included and 2 reviewers independently screened the article, while 1 researcher extracted data and assessed quality, which was then validated by a second researcher. Results were presented based on the number of studies reporting each outcome.  

The results showed that among 1,024 records screened, 64 studies were included. Of 37 studies reporting treatment duration, 68% indicated long-term corticosteroid use lasting 8 to 24 months. Studies with long-term use (> 6 months) reported higher overall and serious adverse events (SAEs) with corticosteroids compared to comparators such as background therapy, tonsillectomy, or placebo. Metabolic AEs, Cushing’s syndrome, edema, and sleep disorders occurred more frequently with corticosteroids, though most studies lacked statistical significance reporting. Infection rates were comparable between corticosteroids and comparator treatments.  

Investigators concluded that long-term corticosteroid use was common despite guidelines recommending short-term treatment and that corticosteroids should be limited to patients at high-risk IgAN while new corticosteroid-sparing therapies are needed. 

Source: bmcnephrol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12882-025-04155-7