title: Current therapy of lupus nephritis. Which is the best option?
abstract: Renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, reaching a prevalence of 39% during the course of the disease. Currently, the therapy for severe lupus nephritis is based on the use of high-dose corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs, being traditionally cyclophosphamide the most frequently used agent. Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil as induction therapy for lupus nephritis. Azathioprine, a safe drug during pregnancy, has not been demonstrated to be as effective as mycophenolate or cyclophosphamide as induction therapy, although it is an effective drug for maintenance of remission.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain. lsilvaf.hpth@salud.madrid.org
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Silva-Fernández
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Andreu-Sánchez
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Ginzler
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000188:drug therapy*