[Therapeutic effect of cyclophosphamide in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis with nephrotic syndrome].

AIM

To analyse factors affecting the response to cyclophosphamide (CP) in patients suffering from chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) with nephrotic syndrome (NS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

CP effectiveness was studied retrospectively in 32 patients with CGN and NS resistant to glucocorticosteroids. CP was given as intravenous injections daily or each other day in a dose 200 mg or as intravenous pulse therapy (1-3 times a months in a dose 800-1000).

RESULTS

28(87.5%) patients achieved a complete remission (CR) for 5 to 68 weeks (23.3 +/- 3.2 weeks) of treatment in accumulated CP dose (AD) from 2.4 to 35 g (11.8 +/- 1.5 g). One patient had a partial remission. An intensive therapy with CP provided a CR faster, probability of CR growing with increasing AD.

CONCLUSION

CP treatment for CGN + NS for initial 1-2 months as daily intravenous injections in a dose 200 mg enabled faster achievement of the accumulated dose required for a CR. In the absence of CR on the accumulated dose 6-12 g it is early to conclude on inefficiency of CP.