RENAL BIOPSY FINDINGS AND FOLLOW-UP OF RENAL-FUNCTION IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS PATIENTS TREATED WITH CYCLOSPORINE-A - AN UPDATE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL-KIDNEY-BIOPSY-REGISTRY

Objective. To review data from the International Kidney Biopsy Registr y, which describes the occurrence of cyclosporin A (CSA)-induced nephr opathy, and to discuss the potential risk factors for its development. Methods. The report examines data on a total of 60 first and 14 secon d renal biopsies performed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treat ed with CSA for up to 87 months. Results. Five of the 60 patients with RA included in the Biopsy Registry had findings consistent with CSA-i nduced nephropathy at first biopsy. One further patient had such findi ngs at second biopsy. Of the 22 patients who started CSA at dosages <4 mg/kg/day and subsequently received dosages no higher than 5 mg/kg/da y, none developed CSA-induced nephropathy. Continuous assessment of re nal function did not show any evidence of deterioration over time in p atients maintained on low-dose CSA. Conclusion. The data indicate that in RA patients being treated according to current dosing recommendati ons, the risk of developing CSA-induced nephropathy is low.