Successful treatment of nephrotic syndrome due to FMF amyloidosis with azathioprine: report of three Turkish cases

Rheumatol Int. 2006 Dec;27(2):197-9. doi: 10.1007/s00296-006-0188-2. Epub 2006 Aug 31.

Abstract

Secondary amyloidosis is a well-known complication of certain familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). We presented three Turkish patients with FMF and biopsy proven amyloidosis. These patients were treated with colchicine 1.5 mg/day. They have experienced five to six peritonitis attacks with fever within 1 year. On admission, the laboratory test results were as follows: serum creatinine 2.3, 0.6, and 0.5 mg/dl; albumin 4.2, 1.9, and 1.8 g/dl; and urinary protein excretion 4, 15, and 10 g/day, respectively. All the patients were started azathioprine (AZA) 100 mg/day and attacks were completely stopped. Laboratory findings were as follows after 1 year of AZA treatment: serum creatinine 1, 0.8, and 0.6 mg/dl; albumin 4.3, 3, and 3.5 g/dl; and urinary protein excretion 3, 8, and 1.5 g/day, respectively. Treatment with azathioprine in addition to colchicine could ameliorate the nephrotic syndrome and control the attacks very effectively in these cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Amyloidosis / complications
  • Amyloidosis / drug therapy
  • Amyloidosis / etiology*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Azathioprine / therapeutic use*
  • Colchicine / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / complications*
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / etiology*

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Azathioprine
  • Colchicine