[Complete remission of nephrotic syndrome with methylprednisolone pulses in an adult with Schönlein-Henoch purpura].

Henoch-Schönlein purpura is a systemic vasculitis that occurs most frequently in childhood. Massive proteinuria, renal impairement at onset and histologic severity in renal biopsy are considered the main risk factors for deterioration of renal function at long-term. We report a 24 years-old woman with Henoch-Schönlein purpura who developped a severe nephrotic syndrome with microhematuria and normal renal function. Renal biopsy showed a diffuse endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis with less than 50% crescents (type IIIB of ISKDC classification). As their potential bad prognosis we decided to treat with methyl-prednisolone pulses (3 x 500 mg in months 0, 3 and 5) accompanied by maintenance treatment with prednisone (0,5 mg/kg/every other day) for 9 months. We observed with this protocol complete remission of nephritis with preservation of renal function.