Azathioprine in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris: A long-term follow-up

摘要: In a prospective long-term study, thirty-seven patients with severe generalized pemphigus vulgaris were treated combined corticosieroid-azathioprine regimen. Twenty-nine available for complete follow-up lasting from 4 to 16 years after initiation of therapy. At the time final evaluation, twenty-seven (93%) alive; two deaths unrelated therapy; thirteen (45%) free disease and had not received treatment up 132 months; five these been off therapy periods ranging 60 eleven (38%) clinically but still low titers antibodies thus required low-dose maintenance (17%) patient's well controlled completely disease. Side effects rare mostly related corticosteroids. Of original patients, only one death or occurred was due pulmonary tuberculosis. It is concluded that azathioprine-corticosteroid highly effective safe; it leads remissions in most possibly cure some.