evaluation of levamisole efficacy in the treatment of steroid dependent and/or frequently relapsing idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in children

background: steroid dependent (sdns) and/or frequently relapsing idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (frins) is a therapeutic problem. this study was conducted to determine the effect of levamisole in children with steroid dependent and/or frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome. methods: in this quasi-experimental study, 43 children aged 1-14 years with steroid dependent (23 cases) and/or frequently relapsing (20 cases) nephrotic syndrome was studied. the patients were treated with prednisolone (60/mg/m2/day) for four weeks. then steroid was tapered (40 mg/m2 /48 h) and simultaneously levamisole (2.5 mg/ kg/48 h) was administrated. the patients were monitored every month for remission, relapse and side effects of drug. data were analyzed using paired-sample t test, independent-sample t test, wilcoxon signed ranks test, chi- square test and spss 11.5 for windows package. results: after initiation of levamisole, full and partial remission was showed in 46.5% and 34.9% respectively. 18.6% didn't respond to levamisole. 39.5% remained in remission for more than one year. the mean relapse rate per annum was reduced from 2.7±1 times before to 1.1±1.2 times after administration of levamisole (p<0.001). there were significant statistical differences between levamisole response with type of ns and age of ns onset. conclusion: according to levamisole effect on complete or partial remission, reduction of relapse rate, increased interval between relapses and reduction of steroid dosage without a significant side effects we can conclude that levamisole is effective and safe steroid sparing drug in children with frins and sdns, therefore, it could be recommended for these patients.