Kidney Week

Abstract: PO1578

Symptom Burden Among Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN) Patients in a US Real-World Setting

Session Information

• Glomerular Diseases: Clinicopathological Features and Outcomes in IgAN, Lupus Nephritis, and Vasculitis
  November 04, 2021 | Location: On-Demand, Virtual Only
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Glomerular Diseases

• 1203 Glomerular Diseases: Clinical, Outcomes, and Trials

Authors

• Perkins, Robert M., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey, United States

Robert M. Perkins, MD, MPH

• Aldworth, Carolina A R, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland

Carolina A R Aldworth,

• Przybysz, Raymond, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey, United States

Raymond Przybysz,

• Doherty, Jim P., Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland

Jim P. Doherty,

• Olson, Stephen W., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey, United States

Stephen W. Olson,

• George, Aneesh T., Novartis Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, India

Aneesh T. George,

• Das, Jaydeep, Novartis Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, India

Jaydeep Das,

• Studer, Rachel, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland

Rachel Studer,

Background

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most prevalent chronic glomerulonephritis and 15-40% of patients will progress to end stage kidney disease (ESKD) within 10-20 years of diagnosis. The symptom burden by eGFR and proteinuria levels has not been well described in IgAN and is presented here.

Methods

This is a descriptive, retrospective study of adult (≥ 18 years) patients in de-identified Optum^® Electronic Health Records (2007-2019). Pre-processed physician notes were used to select patients with at least two IgAN records without any secondary or negative notion. Patients without a record of renal biopsy, valid eGFR and proteinuria levels, or with a history of ESKD/kidney transplant were excluded. The demographic and clinical characteristics, including symptoms up to 12 months before and up to the 1^st record of IgAN are presented here; these symptoms were stratified by eGFR and proteinuria levels.

Results

The final cohort consisted of 846 patients with a mean age of 48.5 years; 57.7% were male and 7.0% Asian. Proteinuria levels of ≥1 g/day were found in 35.7% of patients. The median eGFR was 39.0 ml/min/1.73m², median creatinine was 1.8 mg/dL, and 20.8% of patients had severe deterioration of kidney function (eGFR <15). Overall, more patients in higher chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages experienced any given symptom but this trend was not as consistent for higher proteinuria levels.

Conclusion

Our study found that a considerable proportion of patients experienced pain, fatigue and edema. Except in a few instances, all symptoms increased with lower eGFR levels but this trend was less apparent for proteinuria. Our overall findings suggest that a relatively large proportion of IgAN patients, even those with preserved kidney functions could be experiencing substantial symptomatic burden and this warrants further investigation.

Funding

• Commercial Support –