Fig. 3

Systemic damage accrual and cumulative dose of prednisolone dose for 3 years after induction therapy. a Patients were divided into four groups on the basis of renal response at week 12 and year 3. A significantly lower SDI was seen in patients achieving both PR at week 12 and CR at year 3 than in patients who failed to achieve PR at week 12, regardless of CR achievement at year 3 (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). b Compared with patients who achieved CR at year 3, the cumulative steroid dose was significantly lower in patients who achieved PR at week 12 than in those who did not (p = 0.01). SDI Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index, CR Complete renal response, PR Partial renal response, PSL Prednisolone