QJM · 1985 · 536 citations · 0 references
MedicineNephrologyPathologyImmunopathologyRenal PathologyRheumatologyAutoimmune VasculitisImmune-mediated Renal DiseaseImmunosuppressionRenal DiseaseRenal ImmunopathologyRenal Vascular DiseaseImmunosuppressive Drug TherapyMusculoskeletal InvolvementRenal Involvement In VasculitisRenal VasculitisSystemic Immunosuppressive TherapySystemic VasculitisTherapeutic Plasma ExchangeVasculitis Pathogenesis
We have described 34 patients with microscopic polyarteritis, all of whom had clinical evidence of a systemic small vessel vasculitis predominantly affecting the skin and musculoskeletal systems accompanied by a focal necrotising glomerulonephritis with renal impairment. Thirty three patients received immunosuppressive treatment, comprising prednisolone, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and plasma exchange in various combinations. The five-year actuarial patient and kidney survival rates were 65 and 55 per cent respectively, suggesting that aggressive immunosuppressive therapy in these patients is beneficial.