Short-term outcome of levamisole in frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome: a single-center prospective cohort study.

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to describe the outcome of levamisole (LEVA) treatment in children with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome (FRNS).

Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020. Children aged 1-18 years diagnosed with FRNS were included. LEVA was started with a dose of 2-2.5 mg/kg every other day for 2 years along with low-dose prednisolone in the first year.

Results: A total of 70 children with FRNS were enrolled in the study. The median age was 7.5 [interquartile range (IQR) 5.0-9.6 years] with a slight predominance of boys (42, 60%). The mean number of relapses and cumulative dose of steroids significantly decreased after 2 years of LEVA therapy and during the 1-year follow-up. LEVA non-response was observed in half of the studied participants (28, 46%). The responders and non-responders were comparable in terms of cumulative dose of steroids and number of relapses in the year prior to starting LEVA [5,242 ± 1,738 versus 4,910 ± 1,469 (p-value = 0.52) and 5.4 ± 2.4 versus 5.2 ± 2.1 (p-value = 0.85)].

Conclusion: LEVA therapy resulted in a substantial reduction in the frequency of relapses and cumulative dosage, indicating its potential as an alternative option for children with relapsing disease.