Evaluation of efficacy of methylprednisolone, prednisolone and chlorambucil in idiopathic glomerulonephritis

Abstract

Thirty adults with steroid resistant idiopathic glomerulonephritis were randomly assigned to symptomatic treatment only or to a 6-month course of methylprednisolone and prednisolone alternated with chlorambucil every other month. Patients were followed up for a period of 6 months. At the end of follow-up, 11 out of 15 treated patients were in complete or partial remission as compared with only 3 of 15 control patients. Three of the treated patients were in complete remission, as compared with none of the controls. In the treated group there was a significant improvement of renal functions during follow-up, whereas in the control group renal functions did not show any significant change. None of the patients was dropped from the study because of side-effects. Therefore, it is concluded that pulse steroid and chlorambucil treatment for 6 months favours remission of idiopathic glomerulonephritis in adults and it leads to improvement of renal function.