Methylprednisolone pulse therapy in rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis

Twenty-five patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) were treated with methylprednisolone (MP) pulse therapy (1 g intravenously on 3 successive days). In all patients renal biopsy was done before or just after the start of therapy. Pulse therapy was used in all patients in combination with a low oral maintenance dose of prednisone. In 21 patients additional immunosuppressive treatment was given, either cyclophosphamide (n = 19) or azathioprine (n = 2); in 2 patients plasmapheresis was also applied. Sixteen of the 25 patients were dialysis-dependent at presentation; 11 of them improved, an additional 3 had a temporary recovery, but needed maintenance renal replacement therapy after 5-46 months, mean 22 months. Nine of the 25 patients were not dialysis-dependent, 6 of them improved, an additional one had a temporary recovery, but needed chronic dialysis after 35 months. When many irreversible glomerular lesions were present, the effectiveness of MP pulse therapy was limited or only of a temporary character. Serious side effects did not occur. In conclusion MP pulse therapy is a successful treatment with minimal adverse reactions in patients with RPGN and active histological lesions.