title: Microscopic polyarteritis--a treatable cause of rapidly progressive renal failure due to necrotising glomerulonephritis.
abstract: The clinical features of 25 patients with microscopic polyarteritis are reviewed. Major indications of disease were haematuria and proteinuria accompanied by significant renal dysfunction, which was rapidly progressive in the majority of patients. Unrewarding investigations aimed at defining a cause of haematuria that could be treated surgically only served to delay diagnosis, which could be promptly made by renal biopsy. Early institution of cyclophosphamide therapy led to ablation of the inflammatory process and stabilisation of renal function. In men, who were affected twice as often as women, there was a striking association with employment in the goldmining industry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Johannesburg Hospital.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Seggie
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gordon-Smith
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Meyers
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Margolius
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006417:Hematuria / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010488:Polyarteritis Nodosa / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone