Efficacy and safety of low-dose corticosteroids combined with leflunomide for progressive IgA nephropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and objective The effectiveness of immunosuppressive and corticosteroid treatments for Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) remains thoroughly evaluated.

We undertook a meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose corticosteroids plus leflunomide for progressive IgA nephropathy.

Methods Eligible studies were obtained from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases.

We also searched the references of the included studies.

Our protocol followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist.

Eligibility criteria were defined using a PICOS framework.

Results Our study included three articles presenting 342 patient cases.

Findings revealed that low-dose corticosteroids combined with the leflunomide group were effective in relieving urine protein excretion (UPE) [mean difference (MD) = -0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.41 to -0.30, P  < 0.00001] compared with the full-dose corticosteroids group.

Regarding serum creatinine (SCr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), complete remission rate, and overall response rate, there was no difference between the groups ( p  > 0.05).

Regarding safety, low-dose corticosteroids combined with leflunomide significantly reduced the risk of serious adverse events [odds ratio (OR): 0.11, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.91, P  = 0.04].

Besides, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the incidence of respiratory infection, abnormal liver function, diarrhea, herpes zoster, alopecia, pruritus, insomnia, pneumonia, diabetes, and urinary tract infection ( P  > 0.05).

Conclusions Low-dose corticosteroids combined with leflunomide are a safe and effective treatment for progressive IgA nephropathy.

Trial registration The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42022361883.