title: Chronic idiopathic polyneuropathy treated with azathioprine.
abstract: The results of azathioprine therapy in five patients with chronic progressive or relapsing idiopathic inflammatory polyneuropathy are described. In four patients a sustained improvement followed treatment and in the other patient azathioprine successfully replaced corticosteroid therapy. The improvement was often delayed for up to three months. The literature on the use of azathioprine in chronic polyneuropathy is reviewed. We suggest that there is a place for azathioprine treatment in patients with chronic idiopathic polyneuropathy resistant or intolerant to corticosteroid treatment.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000188:drug therapy; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011239:Prednisolone; D001379:Azathioprine