Diagnosis, management and treatment of the Alport syndrome - 2024 guideline on behalf of ERKNet, ERA and ESPN

Roser Torra, Beata Lipska-Ziętkiewicz, Frederic Acke, Corinne Antignac, Jan Ulrich Becker, Emilie Cornec-Le Gall, Albertien M van Eerde, Nicolas Feltgen, Rosella Ferrari, Daniel P Gale, Oliver Gross, Stefanie Haeberle, Tanja Wlodkowski, Laurence Heidet, Rachel Lennon, Laura Massella, Rezan Topaloglu, Kristina Pfau, Maria Del Prado Venegas Pizarro, Heidi Zealey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

2 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Glomerular nephropathy resulting from the genetic defects in COL4A3/4/5 genes including the classical Alport syndrome is the second most common hereditary kidney disease characterized by persistent haematuria progressing to the need for kidney replacement therapy, frequently associated with sensorineural deafness, and occasionally with ocular anomalies. Diagnosis and management of COL4A3/4/5 glomerulopathy is a great challenge due to its phenotypic heterogeneity, multiple modes of inheritance, variable expressivity, and disease penetrance of individual variants as well as imperfect prognostic and progression factors and scarce and limited clinical trials, especially in children. As a joint initiative of the European Rare Kidney disease reference Network (ERKNet), European Renal Association (ERA Genes&Kidney), and European Society for Paediatric Nephrology (ESPN) Inherited renal disorders working group, a team of experts including adult and paediatric nephrologists, kidney geneticists, audiologists, ophthalmologists, and a kidney pathologist were selected to perform a systematic literature review on 21 clinically relevant PICO (Patient or Population covered, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) questions. The experts formulated recommendations and formally graded them at a consensus meeting with input from patient representatives and a voting panel of nephrologists representing all regions of the world. Genetic diagnostics comprising joint analysis of COL4A3/4/5 genes is already the key diagnostic test during the initial evaluation of an individual presenting with persistent haematuria, proteinuria, kidney failure of unknown origin, focal segmental sclerosis of unknown origin, and possibly cystic kidney disease. Early renin-angiotensin system blockade is the standard of care therapy; sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors may be added in adults with proteinuria and chronic kidney disease. Relatives with heterozygous COL4A3/4/5 variants should only be considered as the last possible resource for living kidney donation. This guideline provides guidance for the diagnosis and management of individuals with pathogenic variants in COL4A3/4/5 genes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1091-1106
Number of pages16
JournalNephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association
Volume40
Issue number6
Early online date2 Dec 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2025

Keywords

  • Alport syndrome
  • COL4A3/4/5
  • collagen IV
  • glomerular basement membrane
  • haematuria

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Diagnosis, management and treatment of the Alport syndrome - 2024 guideline on behalf of ERKNet, ERA and ESPN'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this