[The treatment with levamisole of frequently recurring steroid-sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in children]. / Die Behandlung des häufig rezidivierenden steroidsensiblen idiopathischen nephrotischen Syndroms im Kindesalter mit Levamisol.
Dtsch Med Wochenschr
; 123(9): 239-43, 1998 Feb 27.
Article
en De
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-9524533
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
The treatment of frequently relapsing steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome in children with established immunosuppressive drugs (steroids, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin A) sometimes presents problems because of the expected incidence of side effects. Stimulation of the immune system with the anthelminthic drug levamisole in this disease has been documented. Aim of this study was to assess in a prospective but uncontrolled series of observations its value and side effects. PATIENTS ANDMETHODS:
25 patients (15 boys, ten girls; median age 10 [3.5-22] years) were given levamisole, 2 mg/kg/48 h. Before this treatment was started eight of the children/adolescents (32%) had frequent relapses and 17 (68%) had become steroid-dependent. Treatment was started during steroid-induced remission and continued for 3-24 (median 6) month, while steroids were discontinued after four weeks.RESULTS:
Relapse frequency per patient month was reduced from a mean of 0.5 (0.33-0.83) before to 0.31 (0-0.67) during levamisole administration (P < 0.001). In 12 patients (48%) no or considerably fewer relapses were observed. Patients with exclusively frequent relapses responded to levamisole better than those with steroid dependence (7/8 [87.5%] vs. 5/18 [27.7%], P = 0.01). Side effects were reversible leukopenia in two patients and nonspecific skin rash as well as epigastric pain in one patient.CONCLUSION:
Levamisole is an efficacious addition or alternative, with a low incidence of side effects, in the treatment of frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome, particularly so in yet steroid-dependent patients.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Esteroides
/
Adyuvantes Inmunológicos
/
Levamisol
/
Inmunosupresores
/
Síndrome Nefrótico
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
De
Revista:
Dtsch Med Wochenschr
Año:
1998
Tipo del documento:
Article