Prognosis

General

If treated early, chances of renal recovery are good. Aggressive treatment with plasma exchange and immunosuppressive drugs leads to a one-year survival of approximately 87% in patients with Goodpasture’s disease.[39]​ ​

If the disease has progressed to the point that the patient requires dialysis on admission to the hospital, the chances for renal recovery are <10%.[32]​[34][35]​​

Relapse

There are case reports of relapse after initial successful treatment; however, the chances of recurrence are low.[1]There is anecdotal evidence that relapse is more common in patients who have continued environmental exposure to cigarette smoking.[1]

Transplantation

Patients who develop end-stage renal disease may be considered for renal transplantation once the serum anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibody becomes undetectable.[1]

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