AbstractSixteen patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have been observed for from 1 to 4 years while taking prednisone plus azathioprine in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day and compared to 19 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus managed with prednisone alone for a similar period. Patients receiving azathioprine showed a decreased mortality and morbidity, required less daily prednisone than the control group, exhibited no increased tendency to develop infection, had fewer exacerbations of their disease and maintained better renal function. Discontinuation of the azathioprine was associated with severe exacerbations of disease. The toxicity of azathioprine was minimal.
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