Clinical efficacy of cyclophosphamide pulse therapy combined with leflunomide on 36 cases of refractory lupus nephropathy / 中国医师进修杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the effect of cyclophosphamide pulse therapy combined with leflunomide (LEF) on refractory lupus nephropathy (RLN).Methods Thirty-six patients diagnosed as RLN were selected.Several observation parameters were compared before and after cyclophosphamide pulse therapy combined with LEF.The observation parameters included serum albumin,serum complement C3 and C4,systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) activity index and urinary protein change.The side effects of cyclophosphamide pulse therapy combined with LEF were observed.Results The serum albumin was (20.17 ± 4.09) g/L,complement C3 was (0.40 ± 0.19) g/L,complement C4 was (0.08 ± 0.03) g/L,SLE activity index was 16.06 ± 4.17,and urinary protein was ( 9.79 ± 3.42 ) g/24 h before treatment and (38.10 ± 5.16) g/L,(0.78 ± 0.11 ) g/L,(0.16 ± 0.13)g/L,4.01 ± 1.24,( 1.14 ± 0.59) g/24 h after treatment,and there were significant differences between before treatment and after treatment (P ＜ 0.01 ).During the therapy,side effects were reported in 22 patients.However,these side effects had no impact on the therapy.After further treatment,these side effects gradually decreased and eventually disappeared.Conclusions Cyclophosphamide pulse therapy combined with LEF is effective in treating RLN.Patients' tolerance to the therapy is generally very good.