title: Multiple combined therapy for severe Henoch-Schönlein nephritis in children.
abstract: From 1980 through 1992, 14 children with Henoch-Schönlein nephritis (HSN) showing severe glomerular changes (grade IV or V) were given a multiple combined therapy with prednisolone, cyclophosphamide, heparin/warfarin, and dipyridamole, and were followed for 7.5+/-0.9 years. The period between the onset of nephritis and the start of therapy was 0.8+/-0.4 years. Ten patients underwent follow-up biopsy after therapy. The percentage of glomeruli having crescents/segmental lesions was significantly reduced after therapy (70%+/-5% vs. 42%+/-7%, P <0.01), due mainly to the resolution of crescents (51%+/-8% vs. 13%+/-5%, P <0.01). Thus, histological grade was significantly improved (5 grade IV and 5 grade V vs. 7 grade III and 3 grade IV, P <0.01). After an average follow-up period of 7.5 years, 9 patients showed normal urine and renal function, 4 showed minor urinary abnormalities, and 1 heavy proteinuria. No patient developed chronic renal insufficiency. These findings suggest that the multiple combined therapy could be effective. for histologically severe HSN, although a prospective controlled study should be performed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Faculty of Health Science, Kobe University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iijima
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ito-Kariya
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004176:Dipyridamole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009393:Nephritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004176:Dipyridamole; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D006493:Heparin; D011239:Prednisolone