Clinicl Therapeutic Effect of Leflunomide Combined with Prednisone in the Treatment of Lupus Nephritis

Objective To analyze the clinicl therapeutic effect and safe of leflunomide combined with prednisone in the treatment of lupus nephritis.Methods 42 patients with lupus nephritis were randomly divided into treatment group and control group,21 cases in each group.The treatment group received leflunomide combined with prednisone,while the control group received cyclophosphamide combined with prednisone,the course of treatment was six months.The related indexes and possible concomitant adverse effects were observed.Results In the treatment group 13 cases achieved complete remission,6 cases achieved partial remission;in the control group 7 cases achieved complete remission,6 cases achieved partial remission,there was significant difference between the therapeutic effects of two groups(P0.05).The related indexes of 24 hours urine total protein(24h U-TP),C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),and creatinine(Cr)post-treatment were significantly lower than pre-treatment in the two groups(P0.05),and those indexes post-treatment in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions was significantly less in the treatment group than in the control group(P0.05).Conclusion Leflunomide combined with prednisone can effectively control the lupus activity,has less side effects and is worthy of clinical application.