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Abstract
Since the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to treat immunoglobulin A (IgA)
nephropathy is controversial, we extended our original study by following 40 Chinese
patients with established IgA nephropathy for 6 years. All patients were maintained
on their angiotensin blockade medication and half were randomized to receive MMF for
6 months. After 6 years, 11 patients required dialysis (2 from the MMF and 9 from
the control group). Significantly, only 3 treated (as compared to 10 control) patients
reached the composite end point of serum creatinine doubling or end-stage renal disease.
Linear regression showed the annualized decline in the estimated glomerular filtration
rate was significantly less in the MMF-treated group. Urinary protein excretion and
the albumin-to-creatinine ratio were lower with MMF treatment during the first 24
months, beyond which there was no difference between groups. Multivariable Cox regression
analysis showed that the baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria,
and change in the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio at 1 year to be important predictors
of progression to end-stage renal disease. We found that among Chinese patients with
IgA nephropathy who had mild histologic lesions and persistent proteinuria despite
maximal angiotensin blockade, MMF treatment may result in transient and partial remission
of proteinuria in the short-term and renoprotection in the long-term.