PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN WEGENERS GRANULOMATOSIS

We analysed data from 64 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis to det ermine predictor variables of outcome. The mean period of observation after the diagnosis had been established was 3.2 (range 0.1 - 11.2) ye ars. At the time of diagnosis, 15 (23%) patients had only local sympto ms. The disease was generalized to multiple organs in 49 (77%) patient s. Renal biopsies were obtained in 33 patients; 13 (39%) had extracapi llary glomerulonephritis, which was the most common renal lesion. All but three patients received immunosuppressive therapy. At time of foll ow-up, 17 (27%) patients were in complete, and 26 (40%) in partial rem ission. We employed a Kaplan Meier analysis to identify predictor vari ables of outcome. Renal involvement, initial creatinine concentration, serum albumin or total protein concentration, leukocyte count and ery throcyturia proved to be predictor variables. These variables may be o f value in guiding the intensity of treatment in patients with Wegener 's granulomatosis.