Results of Steroid Therapy on the Adult Primary Nephrotic Syndrome

Abstract

Eighty-six patients with primary nephrotic syndrome in our clinic were classified according to Burch's classification, and the relationship swas studied between histological changes and therapeutic effects with steroid. 1) In forty-one cases (47.7%), the biopsies of the kidney revealed the minimal histopathological change. The averaged age of the onset was 24.1 years of age in this group. 2) In the patients responded to steroid therapy, the proteinuria, hypoproteinemia and hypercholesterolemia were improved or normalized in this order. These laboratory data were improved or normalized more rapidly in the minimal change group than in the other groups. 3) Complete remission of the minimal change group by steroid therapy was obtained in twenty-nine of thirty-nine cases (74.4%) within half a year and in twenty-one of twenty-twenty-five cases (84%) after two years.