LONGTERM SURVIVAL OF LUPUS NEPHRITIS PATIENTS TREATED WITH AZATHIOPRINE AND PREDNISONE

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 5  (3) , 275-287
Abstract
SLE [systemic lupus erythematosus] patients (47) with severe renal disease characterized by renal biopsy documentation of diffuse proliferative or membranous glomerulonephritis or the nephrotic syndrome were treated with azathioprine and prednisone in combination and followed for up to 12 yr. Survivorship was 82% .+-. 6% for 5 yr and 74% .+-. 8% for 10 yr. There were 8 deaths and 2 patients went on hemodialysis. Five of the 8 deaths are attributable to superinfection. Improvement in creatinine clearance was documented in 21 and decreased proteinuria in 35 of the patients. A therapeutic program, which included high dose corticosteroids initially, the combinations of azathioprine with corticosteroids chronically and the rapid reduction in corticosteroid dosage to an alternate day schedule, appears to contribute to improved survivorship.