Azathioprine in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. A three-year prospective study.

In a prospective study, the effect of azathioprine on the clinical course and the anti-dsDNA profile was evaluated in 17 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). During this prospective longitudinal study, exacerbations were never observed. Three periods of continuous anti-dsDNA increases with a doubling time (T2) shorter than 10 weeks were noted. Both the clinical symptoms and the anti-dsDNA levels improved after the administration of azathioprine. These results necessitate a careful double-blind trial for the use of this drug to prevent SLE exacerbations.