A clinical study on low dose cyclosporin a in the treatment of lupus nephritis
Yin, P.D.; Yang, X.Y.
Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi 33(10): 684-686
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0578-1426 PMID: 7712918 Document Number: 430436
The aim of this study is to compare the effects of low dose cyclosporin A (CsA) and intravenous cyclophosphamide pulses (IV-CTX) in the treatment of lupus nephritis (LN). Thirty patients were included in the study with 15 in each group. The improvement of ESR and proteinuria and the increase of serum albumin were observed in the CsA group, but not in the IV-CTX group at the early stage of the therapy, though the overall effects were similar. The conclusion is that the use of low dose CsA could quench the activity of LN at the early stage of the therapy, reduce the doses of steroid and CTX and minimire their side effects. IV-CTX was added to 8 cases of LN before CsA treatment had been tapered of or withdrawn. The results indicated that this regimen could effectively prevent the relapse of LN after the withdrawal of CsA therapy. It is an effective and valuable therapy.