Author/Editor		Tesar, V; Dostal, C; Rychlik, I; Žabka, J; Stejskalova, A; Bartunkova, J; Chabova, V
Title		Long-term treatment of lupus nephritis with cyclosporine
Type		članek
Source		In: Lindič J, Kaplan-Pavlovčič S, editors. Zbornik prispevkov 1. slovenski nefrološki kongres z mednarodno udeležbo; 1996 okt 23-26; Portorož. Ljubljana: Klinični center, Nefrološka klinika,
Publication year		2000
Volume		str. 52-5
Language		eng
Abstract		Long-term treatment of 10 patients (pts) with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis (LN) proven on renal biopsy with oral cyclosporine (CyA) is referred. LN presented with nephrotic syndrome (NS) in 9 ot these pts and moderate renal failure in one of them. Renal biopsy revealed focal proliferative glomerulonephritis (GN) in 6 of them, diffuse proliferative GN in 3 pts and membraneous nephropathy in 1 pt. 6 of these pts were previously treated for more than 3 months with corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide with clear-cut improvement of extrarenal signs of the disease in 4 pts, but with persisting NS and with serious infectious complications in 2 pts. Cyclophosphamide was therefore withdrawn and replaced by CyA (initial dose 5 mg/kg/day with blood levels of CyA being kept 100-150 ng/ml using HPLC) in combination with low dose of prednisone (20 mg per day tapered during 3 months to 10 mg on alternate days). In remaining 4 pts CyA with lowdose steroids was used as an initial therapy, twice because of leucopenia on presentation and twice in pts with NS with low extrarenal activity. CyA induced prompt and persistent remission of NS in 8 of 9 pts with NS (complete remission in 6, partial in 2). Proteinuria decreased form 8.81 +- 4.35 g/24 hrs to 1.04 +- 1.27 g/24 hrs (p < 0.001). 6 pts were rebiopsied after one year of treatment with transformation of LN from class IV or III to class II in 3 pts and less active changes of same class in remaining 3 pts. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters.)
Descriptors		LUPUS NEPHRITIS CYCLOSPORINE BIOPSY TREATMENT OUTCOME PROTEINURIA CREATININE