Studies on the outcome of lupus nephritis according to long-term treatment employing different modes of immunotherapy.

The outcome of long-term treatment of lupus nephritis under different immunotherapies, together with the factors affecting the outcome of lupus nephritis, was studied. A total of 212 lupus nephritis patients were classified into 5 groups according to their different modes of treatment: (1) initial dose of prednisolone (PSL) below 39 mg/day, (2) initial dose of PSL above 40 mg/day, (3) pulse therapy and steroids, (4) steroids and immunosuppressants, and (5) combination therapy of plasmapheresis with other therapies. The outcome of lupus nephritis was evaluated into 5 grades. As a result, the complete remission rate of lupus nephritis was 9.4%. The 5-year survival rates increased with all modes of treatment. However, it was impossible to identify which mode of therapy could bring about the highest rate of remission. Decreases in extrarenal involvement and low complement levels were observed together with increases in IgM anti-DNA antibodies among the lupus nephritis patients with remission.