title: Randomised controlled trial of leflunomide in the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of leflunomide for treatment of immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty IgA nephropathy patients were divided into two groups at random. Patients in the test group received leflunomide and patients in the control group received fosinopril. Clinical data were obtained at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The complete remission rate was 62.1% and the total effectiveness rate was 72.4%. In the leflunomide group, proteinuria significantly decreased from 1.66 +/- 0.42 g to 0.60 +/- 0.68 g (P < 0.05). The efficacy rate of leflunomide compared with fosinopril in treating IgA nephropathy was not statistically different (P > 0.05). Side-effects were mild in both treatment groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary results are encouraging, but further randomised studies are required before leflunomide can be recommended for the treatment of IgA nephropathy.
authors: Department of Nephrology, Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Science, Guangzhou, China. aijh_2000@hotmail.com
authors: Tanqi
authors: T
authors: Lou
authors: Cheng
authors: C
authors: Wang
authors: Zhujiang
authors: Z
authors: Chen
authors: Chenggang
authors: C
authors: Shi
authors: Hua
authors: H
authors: Tang
authors: Xun
authors: X
authors: Liu
authors: Peida
authors: P
authors: Yin
authors: Xueqing
authors: X
authors: Yu