Plasmapheresis in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Plasmapheresis has been used as a supplementary method for the treatment of 11 cases of SLE (7 with lupus nephritis and 4 without renal changes). In 7 cases there was a marked improvement during the plasma exchanges which lasted from 2 months to 3 years of follow up. In one case the direct result was satisfactory but after 3 months there was a severe relapse and the patient died. In 3 cases (two without lupus nephritis) plasmapheresis was without any effect. We believe that plasmapheresis is chiefly indicated in severe cases with high levels of ds-DNA antibody titers.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010956:Plasmapheresis
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex