IgA nephropathy: a long-term progressive study.
Thirty-three cases of idiopathic IgA nephropathy were followed up for an average of 90.8 +/- 8.4 months. Four therapeutic regimens were applied: symptomatic therapy, immunosuppressive drugs, dipyridamole with acetylsalicylic acid and immunomodulating treatment with thymosin. Parameters of kidney function obtained during control and treatment periods were compared in each patient separately. In all cases but one, frequent fluctuations of serum creatinine levels were observed. Cumulative kidney survival ratio for 5, 10 and 15 years amounted to 1.00, 0.90 and 0.82, respectively. There was no apparent response to thymosin, aspirin and dipyridamole therapy. Immunosuppressive drugs are recommended in cases with steadily progressive disease, when serum creatinine concentration surpasses 2.5 mg/dl.