Minimal change disease medical therapy
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Pharmacologic therapy using corticosteroids is considered the mainstay of therapy for minimal change disease. According to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Kidney Disease – Improve Global Outcomes (KGIDO) guidelines in 2012[1], initial empirical treatment using corticosteroids in patients presenting with nephrotic syndrome prior to a kidney biopsy is recommended. Notably also, the use of statins for hyperlipidemia and ACE-I or ARB for proteinuria are both not recommended in patients presenting with the initial episode of MCD.
Medical Therapy
Prednisone is prescribed along with a blood pressure medication, typically an ACE inhibitor such as lisinopril. Often the liver is overactive with minimal change disease and over produces cholesterol. Therefore a statin drug is often prescribed for the duration of the treatment. When the urine is clear of protein, the drugs can be discontinued. 50% of patients will relapse and need further treatment.
References
- ↑ Beck L, Bomback AS, Choi MJ, Holzman LB, Langford C, Mariani LH; et al. (2013). "KDOQI US commentary on the 2012 KDIGO clinical practice guideline for glomerulonephritis". Am J Kidney Dis. 62 (3): 403–41. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2013.06.002. PMID 23871408.