title: [Immunosuppressive therapy for idiopathic membranous glomerulopathy].
abstract: Idiopathic membranous nephropathy is the most frequent cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. The natural course of idiopathic membranous nephropathy is characterized by a high incidence of spontaneous remissions. Some 50% of the patients reach end-stage renal disease. Treatment with corticosteroids alone is not efficacious; treatment with a combination of immunosuppressive drugs improves renal survival. However, because of the high incidence of spontaneous remissions and the risk of treatment-related toxicity, immunosuppressive treatment should be reserved for patients with proven renal insufficiency. Cyclophosphamide appears to be more efficacious and better tolerated than chlorambucil. Identification of high-risk patients at an early stage of the renal disease may contribute to a more efficient use of immunosuppressive treatment.
authors.affiliation: Academisch Ziekenhuis St. Radboud, afd. Nierziekten, Nijmegen.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Branten
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Wetzels
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015433:Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
vernacular_title: Immunosuppressieve therapie van idiopathische membraneuze glomerulopathie.