To the Editor:
Initial supportive treatment of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) consists of salt restriction, renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade, and blood pressure control. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guidelines1 suggest that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), an antimalarial agent with immunomodulatory effects, may be used in Chinese patients,2, 3, 4 but there is paucity of data in other ethnicities. HCQ is widely used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Its inhibitory effect on Toll-like receptors has generated interest as Toll-like receptor 9 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of IgAN.5
We describe our experience with HCQ in Indian patients with IgAN (Supplementary Methods). A total of 38 patients with primary IgAN having persistent proteinuria >1 g/d despite supportive treatment had received HCQ for 6 months (details in Supplementary Methods section). One patient had discontinued treatment immediately because of persistent gastritis, and 37 cases were analyzed (Table 1). Mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 74.7 ± 27.4 ml/min per 1.73 m2, and proteinuria was 2.1 ± 0.8 g/d. Of 37 patients, 21 (56.8%) achieved remission of proteinuria (complete remission: 10, partial remission: 11) after 6 months of HCQ treatment. None had >40% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate or progression to end-stage renal failure. Those who achieved remission had higher proteinuria than nonresponders though not statistically significant (2.5 ± 0.9 g/d vs. 1.8 ± 0.4 g/d, respectively). In a randomized controlled trial2 in Chinese patients, HCQ was significantly superior to placebo in reducing proteinuria (P < 0.001). In a systematic review, HCQ was more effective in reducing proteinuria compared with supportive treatment but not compared with immunosuppression.5 Furthermore, 8 patients (21.6%) in our cohort relapsed after discontinuation of HCQ during a median follow-up of 22.0 (7.4–27.6) months; 4 achieved remission after restarting HCQ whereas 3 had persistent proteinuria. There is no information about relapse in previous studies.2,3 Apart from 1 patient who discontinued treatment initially, no other adverse effects were reported.
Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of patients at the time of initiation of hydroxychloroquine
| Baseline characteristics | Total patients (N = 37) |
|---|---|
| Age (yr) (mean ± SD) | 35.1 ± 9.1 |
| Males (%) | 23 (62.2) |
| Hypertension (%) | 27 (73) |
| Urinary protein (gg/d) (mean ± SD) | 2.1 ± 0.8 |
| Hematuria (%) | 19 (51.4) |
| Serum creatinine (mg/dl) (mean ± SD) | 1.4 ± 0.4 |
| eGFR (ml/min per 1.73 m2) (mean ± SD) | 74.7 ± 27.4 |
| Serum albumin (mg/dl) (mean ± SD) | 3.9 ± 0.3 |
| MEST-C lesions (%) | |
| M1 | 30 (81.1) |
| E1 | 1 (0.03) |
| S1 | 29 (78.4) |
| T1/T2 | 15 (40.5) |
| C1 | 6 (16.2) |
eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate.
Thus, HCQ can be considered for supportive management of IgAN in those who do not respond to renin-angiotensin system blockade before prescribing immunosuppression. It is inexpensive, well tolerated, and not associated with increased incidence of infections. The risk of relapse suggests that longer duration of treatment may be warranted as is done in lupus nephritis. Further prospective studies are needed in different ethnicities to determine the category of patients who are most likely to benefit with this drug and the long-term effects on renal survival.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Mr. Dinesh Jain (SRF) for his assistance in the follow-up of the patients.
Footnotes
Supplementary Methods.
Supplementary Material
Supplementary Methods.
References
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