Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: RESULTS: Average follow-up is 32 months (range 6-104), 18 patients have been followed for more than 3 years. Mean age of the patients was 55 +/- 12 years. In the 6 months before start of therapy, serum creatinine increased from 150 +/- 74 to 226 +/- 108 micromol/l. After start of treatment renal function rapidly improved, serum creatinine at 12 months averaging 143 +/- 62 micromol/l. Proteinuria decreased from 10.3 +/- 4.9 g/10 mmol creatinine at baseline to 2.2 +/- 2.4 g/10 mmol creatinine at month 12. These initial favorable effects have persisted. Overall, 12 patients have developed a complete remission of proteinuria (persistent in 11), and an additional 19 have developed a partial remission of proteinuria (persistent in 15). Thus far, only one treated patient has developed end-stage renal disease. Side effects are a major drawback of the treatment, with 7 patients being admitted, mainly for the treatment of infectious complications. CONCLUSIONS:
Cyclophosphamide is effective in the treatment of patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy and deterioration of renal function. The favorable effects are maintained well beyond the one-year treatment period. Therefore, we propose that in patients with iMN immunosuppressive therapy can be restricted to patients at high risk for end-stage renal disease.
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Authors | A J Branten, J F Wetzels |
Journal | Clinical nephrology
(Clin Nephrol)
Vol. 56
Issue 1
Pg. 1-9
(Jul 2001)
ISSN: 0301-0430 [Print] Germany |
PMID | 11499653
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Glucocorticoids
- Immunosuppressive Agents
- Cyclophosphamide
- Prednisone
- Methylprednisolone
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Topics |
- Administration, Oral
- Analysis of Variance
- Cyclophosphamide
(therapeutic use)
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Female
- Glomerulonephritis, Membranous
(drug therapy)
- Glucocorticoids
(therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Immunosuppressive Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Methylprednisolone
(therapeutic use)
- Prednisone
(therapeutic use)
- Prospective Studies
- Regression Analysis
- Renal Insufficiency
(prevention & control)
- Treatment Outcome
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