Clinical efficacy of cyclophosphamide combined with leflunomide in the treatment of lupus nephritis in 45 patients / 中国基层医药

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of cyclophosphamide combined with leflunomide in the treatment of lupus nephritis.Methods:The clinical data of 90 patients with lupus nephritis who received treatment in The Second People's Hospital of Liaocheng from January 2019 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into two groups according to different treatment methods. The single drug group ( n = 45) was treated with cyclophosphamide alone, and the combined drug group ( n = 45) was treated with cyclophosphamide combined with leflunomide. All patients were treated for 6 months. Total response rate, inflammatory factor level, immune function, renal function, and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results:Total response rate in the combined drug group was 95.56% (43/45), which was significantly higher than 82.22% (37/45) in the single drug group ( χ2 = 4.05, P < 0.05). After treatment, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and rheumatoid factor in the combined drug group were (45.21 ± 5.07) ng/L, (3.13 ± 1.01) mg/L, (43.37 ± 18.20) IU/mL, respectively, which were significantly lower than (60.20 ± 6.13) ng/L, (6.23 ± 1.31) mg/L, (73.19 ± 19.17) IU/mL in the single drug group ( t = 12.64, 12.57, 7.56, all P < 0.001). Immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G levels in the combined drug group were significantly lower than those in the single drug group ( t = 13.05, 13.40, both P < 0.001), but immunoglobulin M level in the combined drug group was significantly higher than that in the single drug group ( t = 13.51, P < 0.001). Serum creatinine and 24-hour urine protein levels in the combined drug group were (78.23 ± 19.13) μmol/L and (1.15 ± 0.33) g/24 hours, respectively, which were significantly lower than (92.19 ± 20.19) μmol/L and (3.15 ± 0.81) g/24 hours in the single drug group ( t = 3.36, 15.33, both P < 0.001). The incidence of adverse reactions in the combined drug group was 6.67% (3/45), which was significantly lower than 22.22% (10/45) in the single drug group ( χ2 = 4.40, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Cyclophosphamide combined with leflunomide is effective against lupus nephritis. The combined therapy can regulate the inflammatory reaction, improve the immune function, promote the recovery of renal function, and be safe.