Fig. 2

Urinary protein excretion of all patients during the follow-up period. The dots represent the median proteinuria values, and the bars represent the 25th and 75th percentiles. The level of UTP was compared to the baseline level every 2 months. * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001. a. The groups “IS therapy plus HCQ” and “conventional IS therapy”. b. Groups A and B. Group A: Patients treated with corticosteroid plus immunosuppressive agents before HCQ therapy. Group B: Patients treated with corticosteroid only before HCQ therapy