Prednisolone Monotherapy versus Low-Dose Prednisolone and Rituximab Therapy in Primary Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and Minimal Change Disease - A randomised control trial in a tertiary center of Eastern part of India

 

Certificate Output Instructions

For best output, select "Paper Size" as "A4" and "Margin" as "0" or "None".

To save or print to PDF, please select Print Destination > Save as PDF, enable Background Graphics under "More Settings", then click "Save".

 


 

Certificate Background

   

Presented the abstract " "
(Abstract co-author(s):  )

 

 

E-Poster Presentation

During the congress, E-Posters will be accessible to all participants on the congress website 24/7, as well as in the E-poster stations in the congress center. 

Preparing your E-Poster

Please review the E-Poster format requirements carefully when preparing your E-Poster. Should your E-Poster not meet the mentioned requirements, it may not be displayed as described above.

​E-Poster Submission Deadline

Please prepare and upload your E-Poster no later than March 14, 2026 11.59PM CET. After this date, you will no longer be able to prepare and upload your E-poster and it will not be displayed and accessible on the congress website.​

E-Poster Format Requirements
  • PDF file
  • Layout: Portrait (vertical orientation)
  • One page only (Dim A4: 210 x 297mm or PPT)
  • E-Poster can be prepared in PowerPoint (one (1) PowerPoint slide) but must be saved and submitted as PDF file.
  • File Size: Maximum file size is 2 Megabytes (2 MB)
  • No hyperlinks, animated images, animations, and slide transitions
  • Language: English
  • Include your abstract number
  • E-posters can include QR codes, tables and photos
https://storage.unitedwebnetwork.com/files/1099/3392721589f734a55604e2e904a63428.pdf
Prednisolone Monotherapy versus Low-Dose Prednisolone and Rituximab Therapy in Primary Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and Minimal Change Disease - A randomised control trial in a tertiary center of Eastern part of India

Please follow the instructions below to input your abstract title.

Abstract titles should be brief and reflect the content of the abstract.

  • The title will not be accepted if it exceeds 25 words.
  • Type in CAPITAL LETTERS.
  • Lowercase may be used for abbreviations only, for example, mRNA.
Pinaki
Mukhopadhyay
Pinaki Mukhopadhyay drpinaki71@yahoo.com Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata Nephrology Kolkata India *
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Minimal Change Disease (MCD) and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are the leading primary podocytopathies responsible for adult nephrotic syndrome. Conventional high-dose corticosteroid therapy achieves remission but at the cost of significant metabolic and infectious toxicity. Rituximab, a B-cell–depleting monoclonal antibody, may allow comparable efficacy with reduced steroid burden.

A prospective, open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted in biopsy-proven adult MCD and FSGS. In Group A treated with high-dose prednisolone monotherapy (1 mg/kg/day for 8–12 weeks with tapering dose as per KDIGO) and Group B treated with  low-dose prednisolone (7.5 mg oral daily for 6 month + Rituximab (1 g × 2 doses, 90 days apart). All patients were followed for 9 months. Composite remission rate , time to remission, proteinuria reduction, eGFR trend, metabolic profile, and different adverse events were studied. All data were analyzed by paired t-tests, two-way ANOVA, Kaplan–Meier survival, Cox regression, and logistic regression.

Total 32 patients were enrolled among 20 FSGS and 12 MCD. M:F 1:1. Mean age about 22.12 years. Complete remission Gr A vs Gr B (8 ,11) . Serum albumin increased from 2.19 ± 0.63 to 3.62 ± 0.57 g/dL (Δ +1.43 g/dL; p < 0.001). 24-hour urine protein decreased from 6.31 ± 1.14 to 1.02 ± 1.42 g/day (Δ –5.28 g/day; p < 0.001). Composite remission rate: 87.5% in rituximab + low-dose steroid vs 62.5% in high-dose prednisolone, absolute difference +25% (95% CI –3.73 to +53.73%; non-inferior, p = 0.052). Odds ratio for remission 11.9 (p = 0.052). Median time to remission 3 months (log-rank p = 0.747). 7 patients (14%) progressed to CKD, not statistically significant. Adverse events were fewer in the rituximab arm (χ² p = 0.068), with lower glycemic complications.

Low-dose prednisolone plus rituximab is non-inferior to high-dose steroid monotherapy in achieving remission, with a 25% higher absolute remission rate and markedly reduced toxicity. This combination provides a safer, steroid-sparing, and patient-friendly therapeutic option for adult primary MCD and FSGS. Larger multicentric trials are warranted to confirm long-term efficacy and cost-effectiveness.

Kewords