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:
- 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 drugs 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.
University Of Wisconsin Medical Foundation Inc
Shivani Garg is a Rheumatologist and a Pediatric Surgeon in Madison, Wisconsin. Dr. Garg is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Lupus Nephritis. Her top areas of expertise are Lupus Nephritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE), Relapsing Polychondritis, and Kidney Transplant. Dr. Garg is currently accepting new patients.
Dafna Gladman practices in Toronto, Canada. Ms. Gladman is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Lupus Nephritis. Her top areas of expertise are Psoriatic Arthritis, Psoriasis, Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), and Kidney Transplant.
Tsutomu Takeuchi practices in Saitama, Japan. Mr. Takeuchi is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Lupus Nephritis. His top areas of expertise are Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Shingles, and Gastrectomy.
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 purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and drug levels of CC-97540 in participants with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) including lupus nephritis with inadequate response to glucocorticoids and at least 2 immunosuppressants.
Summary: This is a single-arm, open-label, multicenter, ascending dose Phase 1 study evaluating the safety and preliminary efficacy of CTX112 in adult subjects with refractory autoimmune diseases, including active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), or idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM).
Published Date: August 28, 2023
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.
Hahn BH, McMahon M, Wilkinson A, et al. American College of Rheumatology guidelines for screening, case definition, treatment and management of lupus nephritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2012;64(6):797-808. PMCID: 3437757 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3437757/.
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.