Partial remission by cyclosporine monotherapy in a patient with membranous nephropathy superimposed diabetic nephropathy

Abstract

It has been noted that cyclosporine A (CsA) is an effective drug for membranous nephropathy (MN). Diabetes is a common disease that sometimes causes nephrotic syndrome. We report the case of an 89-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus who exhibited nephrotic syndrome. Examination of a renal biopsy indicated MN and she was prescribed CsA as monotherapy. Her edema subsided and she achieved partial remission. This is the first report of a patient in diabetic condition with MN having achieved partial remission after CsA monotherapy without steroid therapy. The use of steroid in patients with diabetes may worsen their diabetic condition, especially if they are of very advanced age. CsA monotherapy may be useful for diabetic patients with MN.