Controlled trial of azathioprine in the nephrotic syndrome secondary to idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis.

In a controlled double-blind trial five patients with the nephrotic syndrome due to idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis received azathioprine, 2.5 mg/kg-d, while four others received placebo. After 1 year of treatment there was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to the changes in leukocyte count, values for hemoglobin, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen or serum albumin, 24-hour excretion of protein in the urine, or creatinine clearance. In this study azathiprine appeared not to be useful in the treatment of idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis.