title: Long-term prognosis of diffuse lupus nephritis.
abstract: The follow-up of 43 patients with diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis is reported. After histological diagnosis, all patients were treated with 3 intravenous high-dose methylprednisolone pulses and then with low-dose oral steroids and 31 with cytotoxic drugs. Renal and extra-renal exacerbations were also treated with intravenous high-dose steroids. Patients were followed for 1 to 13 years. At 10 years the patient survival rate was 87% and the kidney survival rate was 79%. If 3 extra-renal deaths are excluded, the actuarial 10-year kidney survival rate is 91%. At present, 21 patients do not show any renal abnormalities, 13 patients have normal plasma creatinine but proteinuria, 3 patients have stable renal function impairment, 2 patients have worsening of their renal function, 1 is on regular dialysis. The other 3 patients died (from cardiac failure, cerebral hemorrhage and a car accident). The incidence of flare-ups was low (0.1 episodes per year). Severe side effects were rare in this series. It is concluded that the long-term prognosis of diffuse lupus nephritis is becoming considerably better. Therapy based on a short course of intravenous high-dose methylprednisolone and on a maintenance regimen with low doses of steroid and cytotoxic agents can contribute to preserving renal function while avoiding severe side effects.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Hospital Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ponticelli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zucchelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moroni
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cagnoli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Banfi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pasquali
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D003404:Creatinine; D011241:Prednisone; D008775:Methylprednisolone