MeSsAGe risk score: tool for renal biopsy decision in steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome

Background A lack of consensus exists as to the timing of kidney biopsy in children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) where minimal change disease (MCD) predominates. This study aimed at examining the applicability of a biomarker-assisted risk score model to select SDNS patients at high risk of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) for biopsy. Methods Fifty-five patients with SDNS and biopsy-proven MCD ( n = 40) or FSGS ( n = 15) were studied. A risk score model was developed with variables consisting of age, sex, eGFR, suPAR levels and percentage of CD8 + memory T cells. Following multivariate regression analysis, total risk score was calculated as sum of the products of odds ratios and corresponding variables. Predictive cut-off point was determined using receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. Results Plasma suPAR levels in FSGS patients were significantly higher, while percentage of CD45RO + CD8 + CD3 + was significantly lower than in MCD patients and controls. ROC analysis suggests the risk score model with threshold score of 16.7 (AUC 0.84, 95% CI 0.72–0.96) was a good predictor of FSGS on biopsy. The 100% PPV cut-off was >24.0, while the 100% NPV was <13.3. Conclusion A suPAR and CD8 + memory T cell percentage-based risk score model was developed to stratify SDNS patients for biopsy and for predicting FSGS.