Effect of low-dose cyclosporin A on systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of low-dose cyclosporin A (CSA) treatment on disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

All patients in the study had active disease as defined by at least the presence of a low CH50 level. Patients were initially given 3 mg/kg/day of CSA. Dosages were adjusted individually at every visit, according to both clinical and laboratory data.

RESULTS

Eleven women with SLE were enrolled in the study; 10 were evaluable. After 20 weeks of CSA treatment, the mean score for disease activity on the SLE Disease Activity Index decreased significantly, from 10.6 to 3.8 (P = 0.02). The titer of antinuclear antibodies decreased in 8 patients and the level of anti-DNA antibodies decreased in 5. Side effects included hypertension (40%), hypertrichosis (30%), gingival hypertrophy (10%), and a rise in the blood urea nitrogen level. Serum creatinine levels remained unchanged.

CONCLUSION

The favorable responses observed in our patients strongly suggest that low-dose CSA can reduce the disease activity of SLE.