Abstract
We experienced 9 cases with biopsy-proven idiopathic membranous nephropathy from January 1997 to June 2010. In our institute, steroid is chosen as the first line treatment for idiopathic membranous nephropathy accompanied with proteinuria more than 1g/day. The treatment and clinical courses were retrospectively reviewed.
Of all, 3 cases presented proteinuria greater than 1g/day and only 1 of them satisfied the criteria of nephrotic syndrome. These 3 cases were treated with steroid for 2∼3 months and the proteinuria resolved within 2 months. Although the rest also achieved remission with dipyridamole, ACE inhibitor or ARB, the duration until remission was longer, ranging from 5 months to 7 years and 3 months.
This study indicated a possibility that 2 months steroid therapy in these patients may shorten the period until remission.
