title: A national survey on current use of mycophenolate mofetil for childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus in Japan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a national survey of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Based on current information on the use of MMF, we aimed to evaluate its efficacy and safety for childhood-onset (c-) SLE.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated 115 patients by questionnaire on MMF use for c-SLE in medical facilities specializing in pediatric rheumatic and renal diseases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average age at SLE onset was 10.6 (range, 2-15) years; average age at the time of starting MMF was 12.3 (range, 2-15) years. Average dose per body surface area was 1,059.3 mg/m(2)/day. Corticosteroid dosing was 20.9 mg/day before treatment but 7.7 mg/day after treatment. Laboratory values before and after MMF treatment were as follows: C3 increased from 67.0 to 84.9 mg/dl (p < 0.001), C4 increased from 10.2 to 15.1 mg/dl (p < 0.001), and anti-DNA antibody decreased from 154.2 to 18.4 IU/ml (p < 0.001). 24 adverse events in 21 cases were reported, but MMF was not discontinued in any.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The amount of MMF for c-SLE in Japan is similar to the standard dose in other countries. Reduction of corticosteroid dose and improvement of laboratory values represent efficacy of MMF. The side effects recorded here indicated tolerability of the drug.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatrics , Yokohama City University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Ryoki
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatrics , Yokohama City University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Hirotaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miyazawa
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatrics , Yokohama City University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatrics , Yokohama City University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Momoi
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatrics , Yokohama City University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Tomo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nozawa
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatrics , Yokohama City University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Masako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatrics , Yokohama City University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Nodoka
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatrics , Yokohama City University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Toshitaka
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kizawa
authors.affiliation: b Division of Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Sanae
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shimamura
authors.affiliation: b Division of Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Shinsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.affiliation: c Department of Medicine and Clinical Science , Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Keiju
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hiromura
authors.affiliation: d Department of Medicine and Clinical Science , Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
authors.forename: Ken-ei
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Sada
authors.affiliation: e Institute of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University.
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawaguchi
authors.affiliation: f Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology , Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine.
authors.forename: Naoto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tamura
authors.affiliation: g Department of Pediatrics , Kagoshima University Graduate School of Health Sciences.
authors.forename: Syuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takei
authors.affiliation: f Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology , Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine.
authors.forename: Yoshinari
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takasaki
authors.affiliation: b Division of Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Atsumi
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatrics , Yokohama City University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mori
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007564:Japan; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid
keywords: Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus; Effectiveness; Lupus nephritis; Mycophenolate mofetil; Tolerability