Comparative efficacy and safety of febuxostat and allopurinol in chronic kidney disease stage 3–5 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia: a network meta-analysis

Objective This study evaluates and compares the effectiveness and safety of febuxostat and allopurinol in chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3–5 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia using a network meta-analysis.Methods A systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted, adhering to P...

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Main Authors: Jiaojiao Chen, Yanyun Zhang, Yinglin Wang, Lu Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Renal Failure
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/0886022X.2025.2470478
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author Jiaojiao Chen
Yanyun Zhang
Yinglin Wang
Lu Chen
author_facet Jiaojiao Chen
Yanyun Zhang
Yinglin Wang
Lu Chen
author_sort Jiaojiao Chen
collection DOAJ
description Objective This study evaluates and compares the effectiveness and safety of febuxostat and allopurinol in chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3–5 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia using a network meta-analysis.Methods A systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted, adhering to PRISMA-NMA guidelines. Searches included PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Chinese databases up to June 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies were assessed for methodological rigor using GRADE.Results A total of 12 RCTs and 4 cohort studies (n = 2,423 participants) were included. Febuxostat was associated with greater improvements in estimated glomerular filtration rate compared to allopurinol (MD, 4.99 mL/min/1.73 m2; 95%CI −0.65 to 10.78; certainty: low) and placebo (MD, 4.72 mL/min/1.73 m2; 95%CI 0.67 to 8.82; low). Serum uric acid reduction was also more pronounced with febuxostat (MD, −0.61 mg/dL; 95%CI −1.15 to −0.05; moderate). Safety outcomes, including major cardiovascular events and adverse events, showed no significant differences between febuxostat and allopurinol. Subgroup analyses revealed enhanced effectiveness of febuxostat at six months of treatment.Conclusions This analysis provides robust evidence that febuxostat might offers greater improvements in kidney function and uric acid levels compared to allopurinol or placebo in asymptomatic hyperuricemia with CKD stage 3–5 patients, without compromising safety. These findings can guide clinical decision-making and treatment optimization.
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spelling doaj-art-d6cad099effd4d64ab8638afdea4f2be2025-08-20T02:34:40ZengTaylor & Francis GroupRenal Failure0886-022X1525-60492025-12-0147110.1080/0886022X.2025.2470478Comparative efficacy and safety of febuxostat and allopurinol in chronic kidney disease stage 3–5 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia: a network meta-analysisJiaojiao Chen0Yanyun Zhang1Yinglin Wang2Lu Chen3Department of Pharmacy, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Physical Examination Center, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Pharmacy, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Pharmacy, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong, ChinaObjective This study evaluates and compares the effectiveness and safety of febuxostat and allopurinol in chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3–5 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia using a network meta-analysis.Methods A systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted, adhering to PRISMA-NMA guidelines. Searches included PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Chinese databases up to June 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies were assessed for methodological rigor using GRADE.Results A total of 12 RCTs and 4 cohort studies (n = 2,423 participants) were included. Febuxostat was associated with greater improvements in estimated glomerular filtration rate compared to allopurinol (MD, 4.99 mL/min/1.73 m2; 95%CI −0.65 to 10.78; certainty: low) and placebo (MD, 4.72 mL/min/1.73 m2; 95%CI 0.67 to 8.82; low). Serum uric acid reduction was also more pronounced with febuxostat (MD, −0.61 mg/dL; 95%CI −1.15 to −0.05; moderate). Safety outcomes, including major cardiovascular events and adverse events, showed no significant differences between febuxostat and allopurinol. Subgroup analyses revealed enhanced effectiveness of febuxostat at six months of treatment.Conclusions This analysis provides robust evidence that febuxostat might offers greater improvements in kidney function and uric acid levels compared to allopurinol or placebo in asymptomatic hyperuricemia with CKD stage 3–5 patients, without compromising safety. These findings can guide clinical decision-making and treatment optimization.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/0886022X.2025.2470478Chronic kidney diseaseasymptomatic hyperuricemiafebuxostatallopurinolrenal functionsafety profile
spellingShingle Jiaojiao Chen
Yanyun Zhang
Yinglin Wang
Lu Chen
Comparative efficacy and safety of febuxostat and allopurinol in chronic kidney disease stage 3–5 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia: a network meta-analysis
Renal Failure
Chronic kidney disease
asymptomatic hyperuricemia
febuxostat
allopurinol
renal function
safety profile
title Comparative efficacy and safety of febuxostat and allopurinol in chronic kidney disease stage 3–5 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia: a network meta-analysis
title_full Comparative efficacy and safety of febuxostat and allopurinol in chronic kidney disease stage 3–5 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia: a network meta-analysis
title_fullStr Comparative efficacy and safety of febuxostat and allopurinol in chronic kidney disease stage 3–5 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia: a network meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Comparative efficacy and safety of febuxostat and allopurinol in chronic kidney disease stage 3–5 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia: a network meta-analysis
title_short Comparative efficacy and safety of febuxostat and allopurinol in chronic kidney disease stage 3–5 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia: a network meta-analysis
title_sort comparative efficacy and safety of febuxostat and allopurinol in chronic kidney disease stage 3 5 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia a network meta analysis
topic Chronic kidney disease
asymptomatic hyperuricemia
febuxostat
allopurinol
renal function
safety profile
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/0886022X.2025.2470478
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