Effect and Safety of Finerenone in Patients with IgA Nephropathy

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of finerenone in patients diagnosed with IgA nephropathy.

Methods: 42 IgA nephropathy patients treated with finerenone combined with renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RASI) and 42 patients who received RASI monotherapy were included in this study. The follow-up duration was 3 months. The efficacy and safety of finerenone were assessed based on key parameters, including urine protein creatinine ratio (UPCR), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum creatinine, serum albumin, hematuria, and serum potassium at 1 and 3 months after treatment initiation.

Results: This study demonstrated that finerenone combined with RASI significantly reduced proteinuria in IgA nephropathy patients. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant time * treatment interaction (P = 0.032), and subsequent one-way repeated measures ANOVA showed a marked decline in log-transformed UPCR over time in the combination group (P < 0.001) but not in the monotherapy group (P = 0.187). Correspondingly, the combination group achieved a 27.29% reduction in UPCR at one month (95% CI: 13.47-39.68%, P = 0.017) and a 34.17% reduction at three months (95% CI: 21.84-52.75%, P < 0.001) compared to baseline, whereas RASI monotherapy failed to show any significant proteinuria-reduction effects. Notably, the antiproteinuric effect was consistent across subgroups. Serum potassium and creatinine levels remained stable, and no adverse events related to hyperkalemia were observed.

Conclusion: The retrospective evaluation suggests that finerenone combined with RASI effectively reduced proteinuria in IgA nephropathy patients, underscoring its potential as a viable treatment option for this patient population.

Keywords: IgA nephropathy; finerenone; renin–angiotensin system inhibitor; urine protein creatinine ratio.

Figure 1

Flow chart of the study. RASI, renin–angiotensin system inhibitor.

Figure 2

Median percentage changes in (A) UPCR, (B) eGFR, (C) serum albumin, (D) serum creatinine, (E) serum potassium, and (F) hematuria over 3 months of treatment in the RASI + Finerenone and RASI groups. Data are presented as median (95% CI). P values represent the comparison of median percentage changes in UPCR from baseline to different follow-up time points in the two groups. eGFR was determined using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology formula.

Figure 3

Subgroup analysis of finerenone combined with RASI on proteinuria reduction at one month (A) and at three months (B). Data are presented as median (95% CI). eGFR was determined using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology formula.