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Objective: The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess the steroid-sparing effect and safety of Tacrolimus (TAC) combination treatment during the maintenance phase of SLE. Methods: Thirty-eight patients were studied over a 1-year period from 2009 to 2012. If manifestations of mild active SLE, such as skin eruptions, arthritis, or asymptomatic nephritis, worsened and/or decreasing levels of serum complement (C3c) were observed, TAC combination treatment (from 1 mg to 5 mg once daily) was carried out. This was accomplished by adding TAC to the patient’s existing treatment regimen and decreasing in the usage of prednisolone (PSL). Scores on the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), PSL dosage, and proteinuria, serum levels of C3c, anti-dsDNA levels were researched. Results: Twenty-eight patients received to TAC combination therapy. 1) The PSL dose was decreased from 11.7 ± 5.6 to 8.2 ± 4.2 mg/day (P |
