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.
Arthritis And Osteoporosis Consultant Carolinas PA
Heather Holden is a Rheumatologist in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Holden and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Lupus Nephritis. Her top areas of expertise are Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoriatic Arthritis, Takayasu Arteritis, and Psoriasis. Dr. Holden is currently accepting new patients.
Arthritis And Osteoporosis Consultant Carolinas PA
Gordon Lam is a Rheumatologist in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Lam and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Lupus Nephritis. His top areas of expertise are Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome, Antisynthetase Syndrome, Dermatomyositis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Dr. Lam is currently accepting new patients.
Metrolina Nephrology Associates PA
Peale Chuang is a Nephrologist in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Chuang and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Lupus Nephritis. His top areas of expertise are Polycystic Kidney Disease, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease, Kidney Transplant, and Simultaneous Pancreas Kidney Transplant. Dr. Chuang 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.
Background: Primary membranous nephropathy (MN) is among the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome in adults. MN affects individuals of all ages and races. The peak incidence of MN is in the fifth decade of life. Primary MN is recognized to be an autoimmune disease, a disease where the body's own immune system causes damage to kidneys. This damage can cause the loss of too much protein in the urine. Drugs ...
Summary: This is an open-label, multi-center, non-randomized Phase 1 study to determine the safety and tolerability of NKX019 (allogeneic CAR NK cells targeting CD19) in participants with active lupus nephritis (LN).
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.