Cortisone treatment of nephrosis

Abstract

Six cases of nephrosis were treated with large doses of cortisone, the treatment being stopped abruptly. In four of the cases a diuresis with loss of oedema and albuminuria followed the termination of therapy. Two of these cases have had no recurrence of oedema or albuminuria and their blood chemistry has remained normal. It is suggested that the oedema in nephrosis is not primarily due to a diminution in the plasma proteins. Furthermore the low level of blood proteins is not satisfactorily explained by loss of albumin in the urine. It appears provable that there is a reduced synthesis of albumin by nephrotic patients. Cortisone is considered to be a useful method of provoking diuresis in nephrotic patients. We are glad of the opportunity to acknowledge our indebtedness to Professor Stanley Graham for his constructive advice and criticism and to both Professor Graham and Dr. J. H. Hutchison for allowing us to study cases in their wards.