Efficacy and safety of rituximab in Chinese patients of glomerular kidney diseases: An observational study

This study investigates the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) in glomerular kidney diseases. Patients treated with RTX for glomerular kidney diseases in a tertiary hospital in 2021 and 2023 were selected. Clinical data were collected and reviewed before treatment and at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after initial treatment. Changes in white blood cells, hemoglobin, 24-hour urinary protein, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, albumin, B-cell count, remission rate, and adverse reaction rate were analyzed. A total of 30 patients were included, and during the follow-up period, 26 patients achieved clinical remission, including 8 cases of complete remission, 4 cases of no remission, and 5 cases of relapse. Compared to before treatment, albumin and 24-hour urinary protein significantly improved at 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment (P < .05). In the high-dose group (14 patients) and low-dose group (16 patients), the time to achieve remission showed no significant difference (P > .05). No serious adverse reactions occurred during the follow-up period. In glomerular kidney diseases, RTX can deplete B-cell counts, improve 24-hour urinary protein and albumin levels, and low-dose RTX is as effective as high-dose RTX.