The effects of add-on corticosteroids on renal outcomes in patients with biopsy proven HIV associated nephropathy: a single centre study from South Africa

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess, the efficacy and safety of add-on corticosteroids to antiretroviral therapy [ART] in patients with biopsy proven HIV associated nephropathy. METHODS: All included patients had histological evidence of either collapsing or non-collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) or podocyte and/or parietal cell hypertrophy or hyperplasia. All patients had evidence of tubulointerstitial inflammation with microcysts. Patients were randomized to ART with the addition of 1 mg/kg of corticosteroids [ART+C] or remained in the group [ART Alone] and followed for 2 years. A repeat biopsy was performed at 6 months. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were randomized to [ART+C] and 17 to [ART Alone]. The baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was significantly lower in the [ART+C] vs. [ART Alone] group [35mls/min/1.73m(2) vs. 47 mls/min/1.73m(2), p = 0.015]. The [ART+C] cohort had a statistically significant improvement in median (eGFR) from baseline to last follow up compared with [ART Alone] i.e. [Δ = 25mls/min (IQR: 15;51) vs 9 mls/min (IQR: 0–24), p = 0.008]. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups when proteinuria and histology were analyzed. There were 8 deaths during the trial period, 7 from [ART+C] (Log rank p = 0.071). CONCLUSIONS: In the [ART+C] cohort there was a significant improvement in eGFR over 2-years with increased mortality. Routine corticosteroid use cannot currently be recommended. Further investigation to define which subgroup of this cohort would safely benefit from the positive effects is required. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN study ID (56112439] was retrospectively registered on the 5 September 2018. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12882-019-1208-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.