Levamisole effect in children with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent idiopathic nephrotic syndrome
Abolhassan Seyedzadeh
1
, *
,
Bita Alimrdani
1
and
Akram Soleimani
1
1 Urology and Nephrology Research Centre, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
*
Corresponding author: Abolhassan Seyedzadeh, Urology and Nephrology Research Centre, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran, Tel: +98 831 4276310
asayedzadeh@kums.ac.ir
Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences: April 30, 2013, 17 (1) ; e77139
Published Online :
April 29, 2013
Article Type: Research Article
Received:
June 07, 2012
Accepted:
December 11, 2012
To Cite:
Seyedzadeh
A, Alimrdani
B, Soleimani
A. Levamisole effect in children with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent idiopathic nephrotic syndrome,
J Kermanshah Univ Med Sci.
2013
; 17(1):e77139.
Abstract
Background: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome of childhood often is could lead to frequent relapses or steroid dependency. Levamisole has been used for this purpose in recent years. But its short and long-term efficacy is still under investigation. This study was done to evaluate the effects of levamisole in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome among children.
Methods: 20 children (11 boys, 9 girls, mean age 6.3+3.3 years) with steroid dependency or frequent relapses were included in the study. After induction of remission with prednisolone 60 mg/m2/day, levamisole was added in a dose of 2.5mg/kg on alternate days while prednisolone dose was reduced to 40 mg/m2/every other day. Then prednisolone was gradually tapered and discontinued. Then the relapse rate and the total cumulative dose of prednisolone before and during levamisole therapy were compared.
Results: The duration of levamisole therapy was 25±18.5 months. The relapse rate was 2.43±0.98/y before and 0.73±0.78/y during levamisole therapy .The difference was statistically significant (P<0.0001). The cumulative steroid dose was 513±192 mg/m2/months before levamisole which was reduced to 292±101 mg/m2/months following levamisole introduction (P<0.0001). Levamisole was effective in15 (75%) patients. No side effect was reported during levamisole therapy.
Conclusion: levamisole is efficacious in managing steroid-dependent frequent-relapsing idiopathic nephrotic syndrome of childhood and long-term relapse-free periods may be expected.
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