title: Alterations in renal function in psoriasis patients treated with cyclosporine, 5 mg/kg/day.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cyclosporine has been used to treat a variety of cutaneous and immune-mediated diseases. Nephrotoxicity is the most common major adverse side effect.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study was designed to investigate the frequency of alterations in serum creatinine in patients with psoriasis receiving 5 mg/kg/day of cyclosporine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen patients with severe refractory psoriasis received cyclosporine, 5 mg/kg/day, for 12 weeks. Serum creatinine was evaluated with respect to each patient's baseline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum creatinine levels remained in the normal range, but 10 of 16 patients had a 30% elevation and 5 of 16 patients had a 50% elevation of serum creatinine compared with the patient's baseline value.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that a significant elevation in serum creatinine occurs in many patients who receive cyclosporine for psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Margolis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guzzo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Lazarus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D016572:Cyclosporine; D003404:Creatinine