ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Cyclosporine is effective in treating nephrotic syndrome (NS) with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) in adults. But high relapse rate remains a major concern. The way to manipulate cyclosporine is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to introduce the way how to titrate the cyclosporine to maintain complete remission without relapse.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients with biopsy-proven IMN with NS treated with cyclosporine for at least 1 month from 1996 to 2011 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Mean age of the 51 eligible patients was 52 years, with 39 men. Mean proteinuria was (7.47 ± 3.14) g/d, serum albumin (24.50 ± 6.29) g/L, and serum creatinine (82.62 ± 21.18) mmol/L. Cyclosporine was commenced at a mean dose of (3.46 ± 0.63) mg×kg(-1)×d(-1). Oral prednisone (0.40 ± 0.29) mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) was given concomitantly in 38 patients. Cyclosporine was administered for a median of 16 months (range 1 - 93 months) and stopped in non-responders by month six. By month 3 (n = 47), the number in complete remission (CR) and partial remission (PR) was 3 and 24, which shifted to 12 and 17 by month 6 (n = 41). Male gender, heavy proteinuria, low serum albumin level, and high serum creatinine level were significant determinants in poor response by month six (P < 0.05 in all variables compared with responders). There was a significant reversible serum creatinine increase within 25% during month 3 to 12 (P < 0.05 in all variables compared with baseline value). Eleven patients maintained cyclosporine for more than 24 months with a cyclosporine dose of (1.04 ± 1.06) mg×kg(-1)×d(-1). Nine patients were in CR. Renal function, systolic and diastolic blood pressure remained stable. Renal impairment (> 30% rise of serum creatinine), secondary infection, hypertension, gingival hyperplasia and liver impairment occurred in 6, 4, 10, 4, and 1 patients, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The observation time for cyclosporine to effectively induce CR of NS in IMN adults should be at least six months. Long-term and low-dose of cyclosporine therapy is safe and effective to maintain CR in those responders.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Cyclosporine , Therapeutic Uses , Glomerulonephritis, Membranous , Drug Therapy , Immunosuppressive Agents , Therapeutic Uses , Nephrotic Syndrome , Drug Therapy , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the risk factors of post-renal biopsy bleeding (PBB).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 1 262 patients who received ultrasound-guided biopsy of native kidney at our hospital from January 2005 to December 2006.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall incidence of PBB was 30.3% (383/1,262), among which the incidence of hematoma was 29.4% (371/1,262) (the percentages of less and more than 5cm were 73.9% and 26.1%, respectively) while that of gross hematuria was only 1.3% (17/1,262). The incidences of minor, intermediate, and major bleeding complications were 21.4% (270/1,262), 8.4% (106/1,262), and 0.6% (7/1,262), respectively. In seven patients with major bleeding complications, six had renal disease secondary to rheumatic disease (lupus nephritis, n = 5; scleroderma crisis, n = 1), while the other one had IgA nephropathy (Lee's classification V). The risk of PBB was relatively higher in women and younger patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Patients with chronic connective tissue diseases are vulnerable to severe PBB complications. A close monitoring of these patients is necessary.</p>