Leflunomide in addition to steroids improves proteinuria and renal function in adult Henoch‐Schoenlein nephritis with nephrotic proteinuria

Abstract

Henoch-Schoenlein nephritis (HSPN) is a severe disease in adults and may cause renal insufficiency in a large portion of patients. But its rarity has led to lack of data. There are few controlled studies on therapy with immunosuppressants in HSPN adults. This study aims to evaluate the effect of leflunomide on HSPN adults with nephrotic proteinuria. We retrospectively studied 65 adult patients who had biopsy-proven HSPN with nephrotic proteinuria. Twenty-seven patients (Group P) only received steroids, and 38 (Group P + L) were treated with leflunomide in addition to steroids. The clinical features, laboratory data and pathological findings of both groups were analyzed. The two groups were well-matched at baseline. After 24 months of treatment, urinary protein excretion of both groups decreased significantly from the baseline, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was higher in Group P + L. Four patients in Group P and three in Group P + L developed to end-stage renal disease at the most recent follow-up. Group P + L showed better renal outcome than Group P. The treatment group and the degree of mesangial hypercellularity were significantly related to renal prognosis. Leflunomide combined with steroids is effective for treating adult HSPN with nephrotic proteinuria.