Azathioprine lupus nephritis

Notwithstanding DMARDs therapy (NSAIDs and/or prednisolone and/or hydroxychloroquine and/or azathioprine) lupus nephritis still develops in 48% of patients with SLE. Of these 40% develop into End Stage Renal Disease and subsequent mortality mostly due to infections. 

Contreras G, Pardo V, Leclercq B, et al. Maintenance therapy for proliferative forms of lupus nephritis A randomized clinical trial comparing quarterly intravenous cyclophosphamide versus oral mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine (abstract). J Am Soc Nephrol 2002 13 15A. 

Benenson E, Fries JW, Heihg B, et al. High-dose azathioprine pulse therapy as a new treatment option in patients with active Wegener s granulomatosis and lupus nephritis refractory or intolerant to cyclophosphamide. CHn Rheumatol 2005 24... 

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