[Methylprednisolone pulse therapy in the early phases of lupus nephritis]

Renal involvement i.e. lupus nephritis (LN) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) mainly determines course and outcome of the disease. Recognition of early manifestations of LN makes adequate therapy possible, with very good therapeutic results. We report 7 patients from a group of 150 SLE patients under our permanent control, 4 female and 3 male, mean age 21 years. All of them had signs of LN: proteinuria 7/7 haematuria 4/7 without azotaemia. Renal biopsy was performed in 6 pts, and histological finding was: class II 1 pt, class IV 3 pts and class V in 2 pts. In 4 pts tubulointerstitial changes were noted, while all showed immunofluorescent deposits of immunoglobulins and complement. Methylprednisolone "pulse" therapy (1000 mg, i.v., 3 days) followed by tapering of the steroid dose was given. Reduction of proteinuria and disappearance of haematuria were observed in all patients. During follow up, kidney function remained normal.