title: Azathioprine in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. A three-year prospective study.
abstract: In a prospective study, the effect of azathioprine on the clinical course and the anti-dsDNA profile was evaluated in 17 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). During this prospective longitudinal study, exacerbations were never observed. Three periods of continuous anti-dsDNA increases with a doubling time (T2) shorter than 10 weeks were noted. Both the clinical symptoms and the anti-dsDNA levels improved after the administration of azathioprine. These results necessitate a careful double-blind trial for the use of this drug to prevent SLE exacerbations.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D004247:DNA; D001379:Azathioprine