Table 4.

Interventions in the pulse versus continuous CPA studies

Study ID	Treatment	Control	Study outcomes
Adu 1997	CPA 15 mg/kg and MP were given IV at 0, 2 and 4 weeks. The same dose was then given as oral pulses over a 3-day period. The interval between pulses was gradually increased.	initial treatment - 0.85 mg/kg prednisolone then tapering according to a predefined schedule for 72 weeks. CPA 2 mg/kg/d given until a clinical decision that remission had been achieved at which point CPA was stopped and AZA commenced at 1.5 mg/kg/d	1. Complete and partial remission 2. Relapse 3. Adverse events 4. Treatment failure 5. Chronic dialysis
De Groot 2009a	3 iv pulses of CPA 15 mg/kg 2 weeks apart followed by 3 weekly pulses (15 mg/kg iv or 5 mg/kg orally for 3 days) until remission then for another 3 months. Mac dose 1.2 G. Reductions for age > 60 yrs and serum creatinine > 300 uM and for previous low leukocyte nadir.	oral CPA 2 mg/kg/d to remission then 1.5 mg/kg for further 3 months. Max oral dose 200 mg. Reductions for age > 60 yrs and leukopenia Both groups received Azathioprine 2 mg/kg/d orally after induction therapy until month 18. Prednisolone 1 mg/kg orally tapered to 12.5 mg/d at the end of month3 and 5 mg at end of study	1. Time to Remission 2. Change in renal function 3. Adverse events 4. Cumulative dose of CPA
Guillevin 1997	Initial regimen: IV MP 15 mg/kg/d for 3 days. IV CPA 0.7 g/m2 day 4. Oral prednisolone 1 mg/kg/d from day 4. IV pulse CPA: mean dose 0.7 g/m2 adjusted for count and renal function, administered every 3 weeks until complete remission and 1 year thereafter. Then every 4 weeks for 4 months, every 5 weeks for 4 months and every 6 weeks until discontinuation after 2 years if treatment. Adjusted up or down based on neutrophil count.	Initial regimen: IV MP 15 mg/kg/d for 3 days. IV CPA 0.7 g/m2 day 4. Oral prednisolone 1 mg/kg/d from day 4. Oral CPA: 2 mg/kg/d on day 10 after initial CPA pulse, after neutrophil nadir had been reached. 1 year after complete remission, oral CPA was tapered by 25% every 4 months until discontinuation. Dose adjusted up or down based on neutrophil count.	1. Treatment failure 2. Complete remission 3. Partial remission 4. Relapse 5. Death 6. Side effects
Haubitz 1998	Steroid regime: Days 1-3, 0.5 g IV MP. Day 4 1 mg/kg/d oral prednisolone. Tapered from day 15. IV Pulse CPA - 0.75 g/m2 every 4th week. If CrCl < 30 ml/min, initial dosage was 0.5 g/m2 and increased to 0.75 g/m2 provided leukocyte counts remained > 3000/ml	Steroid regime: Days 1-3, 0.5 g IV MP. Day 4 1 mg/kg/d oral prednisolone. Tapered from day 15. Oral daily CPA - 2 mg/kg/d. If CrCl < 30 ml/min, initial dosage started at 1.5 mg/kg/d and increase to 2 mg/kg/d after 2 weeks provided leukocyte counts were > 3000/ml CPA dose reduced in steps of 0.5 mg/kg, unless leukocyte count was < 2500/ml then dose reduced by 50%, and if less than 1500/ml drug was withheld until increased to 2500/ml	1. Complete remission 2. Partial remission 3. Relapse 4. Serious infection