| Theme | The Choice of Blood Purification for the Patients with Renal Failure | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Autoimmune disease | |
| Publish Date | 2000/01 | |
| Author | Yoshihiro Arimura | First Department of Internal Medicine, Kyorin University, School of Medicine |
| Author | Ken Yoshihara | First Department of Internal Medicine, Kyorin University, School of Medicine |
| Author | Toshihiko Nagasawa | First Department of Internal Medicine, Kyorin University, School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] | Blood purification therapy in patiens with autoimmune diseases is classifeid into two methods. One is apheresis, the other is artificial kidney, such as hemodialysis and hemofiltration. Apheresis therapy removes autoantibodies, immune complexes and leukocytes from the blood. Recently, double filtration and adsorption therapies have been used for selective removal of autoantibodies and leukocytes, which may be related to autoimmune mechanisms. Renal failure induced by collagen diseases, which are one type of autoimmune disease, showed two dinical courses, rapidly progressive and chronic renal failure. The rapid course demonstrates high immunological activity, requiring intensive immunosuppressive therapy. The chronic course shows low immunological activity, requiring maintenance with dialysis therapy. Further studies of blood purification therapy are needed to improve the prognosis for autoimmune diseases. | |