Abstract
Background
Membranous nephropathy is an autoimmune nephropathy that is one of the most common pathological types of nephrotic syndrome. It is important to find and apply specific biomarkers for the noninvasive diagnosis of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). However, there are limited data about their diagnostic value. Therefore, an overall meta-analysis helps to identify effective biomarkers for the clinical diagnosis of IMN.
Methods
A systematic literature search was carried out in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and Web of Science from inception until December 31, 2020. Two researchers searched for studies that met the inclusion criteria. The results of the joint study were expressed in terms of sensitivity and specificity.
Results
The meta-analysis included 24 studies with biomarkers for the clinical diagnosis of IMN, including phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R), thrombospondin type I domain-containing 7A (THSD7A), lysosome membrane protein-2 (LIMP-2) and circular RNAs. The diagnostic efficiency of PLA2R for IMN had a combined sensitivity of 60% and a combined specificity of 100%. The diagnostic efficiency of THSD7A for IMN had a combined sensitivity of 3% and a combined specificity of 99%. The diagnostic efficiency of urinary LIMP-2 for IMN was 100%, and the specificity was 100%. The diagnostic efficiency of exosomal circRNAs for IMN was 100%, and the specificity was 100%.
Conclusions
This meta-analysis shows that PLA2R and THSD7A are of important diagnostic value for IMN. More studies are needed in the future to reveal the diagnostic value of LIMP-2 and circRNAs for IMN. At the same time, other new diagnostic biomarkers in IMN need to be found in the future.
Clinical and Histological Features of Phospholipase A2 Receptor-Associated and Thrombospondin Type-I Domain-containing 7A-Associated Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy: A Single Center Retrospective Study from China
