Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40560271›Full record

ArticlePediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany)2025

Parental perspectives on the effectiveness and safety of rituximab in treating pediatric nephrotic syndrome: a nationwide multi-center survey study.

Ning Lan, Chengguang Zhao, Li Wang, Hanyun Tang, Weiran Zhou, Hongtao Zhu, Xiaoyan Li, Yuhong Li, Ximing Xu, Gaofu Zhang

Abstract readMulticenter Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Ning LanDepartment of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Metabolism and Inflammatory Diseases, Chongqing, 400014, China.
Chengguang ZhaoDepartment of Pediatric Nephrology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning, China.
Li WangDepartment of Nephrology, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
Hanyun TangDepartment of Nephrology and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215025, Jiangsu, China.
Weiran ZhouDepartment of Nephrology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University (Jinan Children's Hospital), Jinan, 250022, Shandong, China.
Hongtao ZhuDepartment of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi , Ward 3, Xinjiang, 830000, China.
Xiaoyan LiDepartment of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
Yuhong LiDepartment of Nephrology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guiyang (Children's Hospital of Guiyang), Guiyang, 550003, Guizhou, China.
Ximing XuBig Data Center for Children's Medical Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.
Gaofu ZhangDepartment of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Metabolism and Inflammatory Diseases, Chongqing, 400014, China. zhanggaofu19992004@163.com.ORCID 0000-0003-4452-3674

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRituximab is increasingly used for steroid-dependent/frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome, yet parental perspectives on its real-world impact remain understudied. This study evaluated parental perceptions of rituximab's effectiveness, safety, and socioeconomic effects.

methodsA nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted across eight pediatric centers in China (Feb 2025). Validated questionnaires were administered to 570 parents of children with nephrotic syndrome, assessing rituximab efficacy, safety, financial burden, caregiver quality of life (SF-36), and treatment barriers. Multivariable regression models analyzed predictors of treatment satisfaction and parental well-being.

resultsAmong 489 parents analyzed, 232 children (47.4%) received rituximab. Most parents (79.3%) reported good disease control, and 90.5% perceived overall improvement, with 10.3% achieving sustained complete remission without relapse after rituximab treatment. Regarding safety, 86.2% of parents observed no increase in respiratory infections, and 98.3% reported improved child quality of life. Financial burden influenced perceptions; parents from households earning < $3000 annually were less satisfied with rituximab efficacy (OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.08-0.60, P = 0.004). Higher SF-36 scores were reported by parents of children who discontinued steroids or had significant quality-of-life improvements. Immune suppression concerns (80.6%) and high costs remained major barriers.

conclusionsThis study demonstrates favorable parental perceptions of rituximab regarding efficacy, safety, and caregiver quality of life in patients with pediatric nephrotic syndrome. However, financial challenges and safety concerns limit its broader use. Policy interventions should prioritize financial subsidies, expand insurance coverage, and implement multidisciplinary support programs to address caregivers' psychosocial needs. Enhanced pre-treatment counseling and steroid-sparing protocols may further optimize parental satisfaction and treatment outcomes.

Indexed as

Immunologic FactorsNephrotic SyndromeParentsRituximabAdolescentCaregiversChildChild, PreschoolChinaCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleQuality of LifeSurveys and QuestionnairesTreatment OutcomeImmunologic FactorsRituximabHealth economicsParental perspectivesPediatric nephrotic syndromeQuality of lifeRituximabTreatment satisfaction

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.