TREATMENT RESULTS OF PRIMARY NEPHROTIC SYNDROME IN ADULTS WITH CORTICOSTEROID THERAPY PROTOCOL AT CAN THO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Treatment of patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) in the Mekong Delta region is difficult because the pathophysiological lesion has not been identified. Therefore, it is necessary to choose an empiric treatment regimen for primary nephrotic syndrome in the absence of renal biopsy. Objectives: To evaluate some clinical and subclinical characteristics and treatment results of primary nephrotic syndrome in adults at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy hospital. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study in 36 patients with NS treated at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital from March 2019 to March 2021. Results: Women were 52.8%, 97.2% patients under 60 years-old. Edema and foamy urine was 100% and 97.2%, respectively. There were 77.8% patients with proteinuria >5g/24 hours. The majority of patients had features of atypical nephrotic syndrome with 30.6% gross hematuria, 77.8% hypertension and 27.7% decreased glomerular filtration rate <60ml/min/1.73m 2. After 8 weeks of treatment, 22.2% of patients had negative 24-hour proteinuria, 77.8% after 24 weeks. Complete remission and partial remission after 12 months was 63.9%, and 19.4%, respectively; 16.7% patients were dependent on corticosteroids or relapsed. Conclusion: Edema and foamy urine were the two main clinical symptoms of patients with NS. The response rate to corticosteroid therapy protocol after 12 months in adult nephrotic syndrome was relatively high.