Comparison of Efficacy of Levamisole Versus Mycophenolate Mofetilin Children with Frequently Relapsing Steroid Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome
Abstract
Background: Steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome patients usually develop relapses in 40-50% of cases and exert significant burden on healthcare system and different treatment modalities are being used for sustained remission of relapses.
Objective: To compare the efficacy of levamisole versus mycophenolate mofetilin children with frequently relapsing steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome.
Study type, settings & duration: This study was conducted at Department of Pediatric Nephrology, The Children’s Hospital and Institute of the Child Health, Multan from July 2020 to June 2021.
Methodology: ; Children (n = 80) with Steroid-sensitive Nephrotic syndrome frequent Relapsers were randomized in 2 groups; Group A received Levamisole 2-2.5 mg/kg on alternate days for 6 months while group B received MMF (750-1000 mg/m2 daily) along with standard therapy i. e prednisolone at a dose of 60 mg/m2 per day for 4-8 weeks or less if reached absence of proteinuria for 3 consecutive days, followed by 40 mg/m2 on alternate days for 2 weeks followed by gradual tapering over 1-2 months to the minimum dose of 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/day for a total duration of 6 months.
Results: Our study included 80 children presenting with frequently relapsing steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome. Of these 80 study cases, 63.8% (n=51) were boys while 36.2% (n=29) were girls. Mean age of our study cases was 7.45±2.08 years (ranging from 3 to 12 years (boys 6.78±1.50 years versus girls 8.62±2.44 years, p=0.001) and 61.3% (n=49) were aged more than 6 years. Mean weight of our study cases was 24.98±8.12 kilograms .......
