Background: Lupus nephritis and IgA nephropathy are the most common causes of secondary and primary of glomerulonephritis. Periostin is a novel biomarker related to kidney disease progression. Previous studies demonstrated the expression of periostin in both animal and human with different types of kidney disease.

Objective: The present cohort study was to examine the level of urine periostin in patients with lupus nephritis and IgA nephropathy and to identify the correlation between urine periostin level and other variables. The urine periostin measurement and response to therapy after six months of treatment was also evaluated.

Materials and Methods: Fifty patients diagnosed with lupus nephritis and IgA nephropathy were included in the present study. Urine sample were collected at the biopsy date. Urine periostin measurement were performed. After six months of treatment, response to therapy was assessed and urine samples were collected.

Results: Urine periostin was detected in 23 patients and 11 healthy controls with significant higher level in patients than in controls (33.27 ng/mg versus 2.38 ng/mg, p<0.001). Serum creatinine was significant higher in patients with urine periostin detection (0.9 mg/dl versus 0.7 mg/dl, p<0.05). There was also a correlation between urine periostin level and renal function. In addition, urine periostin level was significant lower after six months of treatment in patients with response to therapy (35.70 ng/mg versus 4.35 ng/mg, p<0.05).

Conclusion: The present study’s results supported the potential of periostin as a urinary biomarker of kidney disease progression in patients with lupus nephritis and IgA nephropathy.

Keywords: Periostin, Urinary biomarker, Lupus nephritis, IgA nephropathy, Renal function