Risk stratification and long-term kidney survival in IgA nephropathy with particular emphasis on Oxford classification; A narrative review

Introduction: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is one of the most common forms of glomerulonephritis worldwide. It leads to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in many patients. At the time of diagnosis, risk stratification is of paramount importance in planning proper management in individual cases. Several studies have been conducted to determine the utility of various demographic, clinical, laboratory, and pathological features on renal biopsy to stratify the risk of disease progression and predict the likely outcome. This review summarizes the emerging data on demographic, clinical, laboratory, and histological prognosis along with risk factors associated with renal outcomes in patients with IgAN. Methods: For this review, we searched DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals), PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar, using keywords including; "IgA nephropathy," "IgA nephritis," "IgAN," "Berger’s disease," "Berger’s syndrome," "chronic glomerulonephritis, "prognostic factors," "risk factors," "risk stratification," "renal survival," "ESRD," "MEST classification," "MEST-C classification" and "Oxford Classification." To identify other relevant studies, we manually scanned the bibliographic lists of the identified studies and reviewed articles from January 2009 through December 2020. All relevant articles were carefully reviewed, and relevant information was extracted for this narrative review. Results: A total of 152 articles were retrieved from the above literature database searches. The abstracts were carefully reviewed to identify 35 articles containing information on prognostic factors and longterm renal survival in IgAN patients. Relevant information was collected and summarized for this review. The main focus was on using demographic, clinical, and laboratory features, especially serial changes in these parameters during follow-up, for this purpose. Recently a standardized, evidencebased formulation has been devised to evaluate and categorize pathological features on renal biopsy to augment and refine the risk stratification and prognostic value of traditional risk factors; it is popularly known as the Oxford classification of IgAN. There have been numerous validation studies in various ethnic groups that have proven its clinical utility. Conclusion: In conclusion, the clinicians should also take into account the pathologic variables according to the revised Oxford classification in addition to demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters for early and reliable risk stratification and prognostication in individual patients at the time of diagnosis in IgAN for optimal management and ultimate improvement in long-term outcomes.

COVID-19 and kidney failure; a mini-review to recent evidence

In COVID-19 infection, most of the renal disturbances are due to acute tubular necrosis. Renal dysfunction occurs in severe COVID-19 infection and is usually secondary to sepsis, cytokine storm, and hypotension. Other conditions, such as exacerbated inflammatory responses, dehydration, hypoxia, hypercoagulability, endothelial damage, pneumonia, septicemia, drug nephrotoxicity, and myocardial dysfunction also contribute to renal failure.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i); as a preventive factor of kidney failure in patients with type 2 diabetes; a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Introduction: Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are a new class of anti-diabetic drugs. SGLT2 inhibitors lower blood glucose levels by decreasing glucose reabsorption in the proximal renal tubule, resulting in increased urinary glucose and sodium excretion. Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of SGLT2i on individual renal outcomes in diabetic patients. Methods: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. A comprehensive search of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted in the Cochrane Library and PubMed, to identify relevant articles focusing on SGLT2i and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in diabetic patients. The most recent article search was conducted on July 12, 2021. Results: Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis. Two trials were comparing dapagliflozin, two comparing empagliflozin, one comparing ertugliflozin, one comparing canagliflozin, and one comparing sotagliflozin. Composite renal outcome and acute kidney injury (AKI) was found in seven and four studies, respectively. Data on end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and albuminuria or initiation of renal replacement therapy were reported in the two studies. The pooled risk ratio (RR) 95% confidence interval (CI) for the composite renal outcome was 0.54 (0.50–0.59), with 92 % heterogeneity. The pooled RR for AKI was 0.77 (0.66–0.89), with no heterogeneity. A significant lower incidence of albuminuria (RR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.59–0.81), initiation of renal replacement therapy (RR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.58–0.87), was observed following the use of SGLT2 inhibitors. Conclusion: Our findings confirm that the SGLT2 inhibitors can reduce the risk of albuminuria, AKI and renal replacement therapy in ESKD patients with T2D (type 2 diabetes). These meta-analyses provide substantial evidence supporting the beneficial effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on reducing CKD events in individuals with T2D.

Ameliorative impact of sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in diabetic kidney disease; a mini- review to current evidence

The sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are a new class of antidiabetic agents. SGLT2i are able to inhibit SGLT2 transporter in renal tissue, increasing glycosuria and reducing blood sugar. These drugs act by inhibiting the SGLT2 in renal proximal epithelial tubular cells. SGLT2i are found to have beneficial effect on chronic renal failure caused by diabetic nephropathy.