Demographics and baseline disease characteristics*
| Characteristic | AZA (n=52) | MMF (n=53) |
|---|---|---|
| Race, n (C/A/B) | 41/4/7 | 42/5/6 |
| Gender, n (F/M) | 48/4 | 48/5 |
| Age in years, mean±SD | 33±11 | 33±10 |
| Past SLE renal disease, % | 13 | 18 |
| Previous GC use, % | 53 | 47 |
| Previous IS use, % | 27 | 29 |
| Serum creatinine, mg/dl (mean ± SD) | 1.02±0.47 | 1.01±0.33 |
| 24 h proteinuria, g (mean±SD) | 2.94±2.42 | 3.63±2.80 |
| Serum albumin, g/dl (mean±SD) | 3.01±0.75 | 2.97±0.66 |
| Haemoglobin, g/dl (mean±SD) | 10.96±1.98 | 10.93±1.63 |
| Serum C3, mg/dl (mean±SD) | 55±29 | 49±26 |
| ECLAM score, mean±SD | 6.95±1.83 | 6.41±1.86 |
| SLEDAI score, mean ± SD | 17±8 | 19±6 |
| WHO class, n (III/IV/Vc/Vd) | 17/30/2/3 | 16/31/1/5 |
↵* None of the 14 baseline variables were statistically different between the 2 groups (χ2 or unpaired t tests).
A, Asian; AZA, azathioprine; B, Black; C, Caucasian; ECLAM, European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement; F, female; GCs, glucocorticoids; IS, immunosuppressant; M, Male; MMF, mycophenolate mofetil; SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus; SLEDAI, SLE Disease Activity Index.