[Cyclophosphamide efficacy in maintenance therapy of nephrotic syndrome in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis].
OBJECTIVE
To study effects of cyclophosphamide (CP) on duration of remission in chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) with nephrotic syndrome (NS).


METHODS
Achievement of complete remission of NS was followed by intravenous treatment with CP in 25 of 28 patients. 20 patients were in remission for 7-90 months (mean 38.9 +/- 5.6 months). NS recurred in 8 patients after remission duration from 3 to 48 months (mean 25.4 +/- 6.1 months).


RESULTS
Patients in remission and NS recurrence were comparable by morphology of CGN, gender, CGN history, start of CP treatment, accumulated CP dose at remission induction, 24 h protein urine loss, levels of immunoglobulins, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, seromucoid, complement titer, circulating immune complexes. Significant differences were observed in duration of CP maintenance, accumulated dose within the first three months and maintenance therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
CP maintenance in CGN with NS should be conducted as an intravenous pulse-therapy once in 3 weeks for 3 months than once in 1-3 months for 1.5-2 years.
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide