Lupus NephritisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Lupus Nephritis
Lupus nephritis, which is a kidney disorder, is a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Nephritis - lupus; Lupus glomerular disease
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, or lupus) is an autoimmune disease. This means there is a problem with the body's immune system.
Normally, the immune system helps protect the body from infection or harmful substances. But in people with an autoimmune disease, the immune system cannot tell the difference between harmful substances and healthy ones. As a result, the immune system attacks otherwise healthy cells and tissues.
SLE may damage different parts of the kidney. This can lead to disorders such as:
- Focal or diffuse proliferative disease
- Interstitial nephritis
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Membranous glomerulonephritis
- Kidney failure
Symptoms of lupus nephritis include:
- Blood in the urine
- Foamy appearance to urine
- Swelling (edema) of any area of the body
- High blood pressure
The goal of treatment is to improve kidney function and to delay kidney failure.
Medicines may include some that suppress the immune system, such as corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, or azathioprine.
You may need dialysis to control symptoms of kidney failure, sometimes for only a while. A kidney transplant may be recommended. People with active lupus should not have a transplant because the condition can occur in the transplanted kidney.
Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman is a Rheumatologist practicing medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Ramsey-Goldman is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Lupus Nephritis. She is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Lupus Nephritis, Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD), and Arthritis. Dr. Ramsey-Goldman is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine - Internal Medicine (Certified). Dr. Ramsey-Goldman is currently accepting new patients.
Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
Michelle Petri is a Rheumatologist practicing medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Petri is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Lupus Nephritis. She is also highly rated in 11 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Lupus Nephritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Antiphospholipid Syndrome, and Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE). Dr. Petri is board certified in American Board Of Allergy And Immunology and American Board Of Internal Medicine. Dr. Petri is currently accepting new patients.
Northwell Health Physician Partners Rheumatology At Great Neck
Richard Furie is a Rheumatologist practicing medicine in Great Neck, New York. Dr. Furie is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Lupus Nephritis. He is also highly rated in 8 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Lupus Nephritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE), and Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE). Dr. Furie is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine and American Board Of Internal Medicine/Rheumatology. Dr. Furie is currently accepting new patients.
How well you do depends on the specific form of lupus nephritis. You may have flare-ups, and then times when you do not have any symptoms.
Some people with this condition develop long-term (chronic) kidney failure.
Although lupus nephritis may return in a transplanted kidney, it rarely leads to end-stage kidney disease.
Complications that may result from lupus nephritis include:
- Acute renal failure
- Chronic renal failure
Contact your provider if you have blood in your urine or swelling of your body.
If you have lupus nephritis, contact your provider if you notice decreased urine output.
Treating lupus may help prevent or delay onset of lupus nephritis.
Summary: The study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of cevostamab in participants with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with or without active lupus nephritis (LN).
Summary: The purpose of this study is to characterize the efficacy and safety of current standard of care treatment options in participants with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; including lupus nephritis) with inadequate response to glucocorticoids and at least two immunosuppressants
Published Date: September 02, 2025
Published By: Walead Latif, MD, Nephrologist and Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Sammaritano LR, Askanase A, Bermas BL, et al. 2024 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the screening, treatment, and management of lupus nephritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2025;77(9):1045-1065. PMID: 40331662 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40331662/.
Malvar A, Alberton V, Rovin BH. Lupus nephritis. In: Johnson RJ, Floege J, Tonelli M, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 27.
Radhakrishnan J, Stokes MB. Glomerular disorders and nephrotic syndromes. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 107.