lupus nephritis

Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body.

Causes and Symptoms

• Lupus nephritis occurs when the immune system attacks the kidneys, causing inflammation and damage to the kidney tissues.
• The symptoms of lupus nephritis can vary from person to person but may include:
  • Blood in the urine [1]
  • Foamy appearance to urine [6][9]
  • Swelling (edema) of any area of the body [6][9]
  • High blood pressure [1][6][9]

Types and Complications

• Lupus nephritis can be classified into two main types: focal and diffuse.
• Focal lupus nephritis is characterized by inflammation in a limited area of the kidney, while diffuse lupus nephritis involves widespread inflammation throughout the kidney.
• If left untreated, lupus nephritis can lead to complications such as:
  • Kidney failure
  • High blood pressure
  • Fluid buildup in the body

References

[1] Mar 28, 2024 - Symptoms · Blood in the urine. · Urine that foams because of too much protein. · High blood pressure. · Swelling in the legs, ankles or feet and ... [3] Lupus nephritis (LN) is an inflammation of the kidneys caused by systemic lupus erythematosus, often called lupus. [6] Symptoms · Blood in the urine · Foamy appearance to urine · Swelling (edema) of any area of the body · High blood pressure. Exams and Tests. The ... [9] Symptoms · Blood in the urine · Foamy appearance to urine · Swelling (edema) of any area of the body · High blood pressure. Exams ...

Common Signs and Symptoms of Lupus Nephritis

Lupus nephritis, a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), can manifest in various ways. The symptoms can be diverse and may vary from person to person.

• Fluid buildup and swelling: Fluid accumulation in the body can lead to swelling in different parts of the body, including hands, face, feet, belly, or around the eyes [2].
• Weight changes: Weight gain is a common symptom, but some individuals might experience weight loss [3].
• Increased urine output: People with lupus nephritis may notice an increase in urination, especially at night [5].
• Blood and foamy appearance in urine: The presence of blood and foam in the urine can be indicative of kidney damage [5][7].
• High blood pressure: Elevated blood pressure is another symptom that may occur due to lupus nephritis [6].
• Weakness, fatigue, fever, weight loss, and joint pain: These symptoms are also associated with lupus nephritis, although they might not be directly related to kidney issues [4][8].

It's essential to note that not everyone will experience all of these symptoms. If you suspect you or someone else has lupus nephritis, consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

References: [1] Not provided (initial query) [2] Context #2 [3] Context #3 [4] Context #8 [5] Context #5 [6] Context #6 [7] Context #7 [8] Context #8

Lupus nephritis, a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), can be diagnosed through various diagnostic tests.

Common Diagnostic Tests

• Urine Tests: Urine tests are the most frequent tests used to diagnose lupus nephritis. They help detect any problems in the kidneys, such as blood or protein in the urine.
  • A urinalysis is the simplest and most common test used to find out if a person has lupus nephritis [5].
  • Urine tests can also check for the presence of red and white blood cells, which may indicate kidney damage [5].
• Blood Tests: Blood tests are used to detect high levels of proteins made by the immune system, which can be indicative of lupus nephritis.
  • Antibody blood tests check for high levels of antibodies against double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), which is a common indicator of SLE and lupus nephritis [1].
• Kidney Biopsy: A kidney biopsy may be performed if the results of urine and blood tests are inconclusive or if there is suspicion of severe kidney damage.
  • Pathologists use advanced imaging studies to evaluate kidney tissue samples [2].

Additional Tests

• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Testing: BUN testing measures the level of urea in the blood, which can indicate kidney function.
• Serum Creatinine Assessment: Serum creatinine assessment measures the level of creatinine in the blood, which can also indicate kidney function.

These diagnostic tests are used to evaluate kidney damage and determine the severity of lupus nephritis. A combination of these tests is often necessary to make an accurate diagnosis [6].

References: [1] Mar 27, 2023 — Laboratory Tests for SLE Disease Activity ... SLE disease activity can be evaluated by assessing antibodies to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), ... [2] Diagnosing Lupus Nephritis · Pathologists use advanced imaging studies to evaluate kidney tissue samples [3] Lupus nephritis is diagnosed through urine and blood tests and a kidney biopsy. [4] There are 3 tests commonly used to help diagnose lupus nephritis: Urine tests are the most frequent tests you'll receive. They're vital to detect any problems ... [5] A urinalysis is the simplest and most common test used to find out if a person has lupus nephritis. A urinalysis will check for the presence of red and white blood cells, which may indicate kidney damage. [6] Blood and urine tests to detect lupus nephritis include: Antibody blood tests check for high levels of proteins made by your immune system. Labs to assess ...

Treatment Options for Lupus Nephritis

Lupus nephritis, a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), requires prompt and effective treatment to prevent kidney damage and failure. The primary goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation, suppress the immune system, and manage symptoms.

Immunosuppressive Drugs

• Glucocorticoids: Prednisone is commonly used for 1-3 months, followed by tapering over 1-2 years if a response is observed [1].
• Cyclophosphamide: Indicated for treatment of most patients with focal lupus nephritis or diffuse lupus nephritis [8]. It's often used in combination with other immunosuppressive agents.
• Mycophenolate: Used to reduce the risk of relapse and improve kidney function.
• Azathioprine: May be prescribed for patients who do not respond to other treatments.

Newly Approved Drugs

• Belimumab (Benlysta): Approved in 2020 for lupus nephritis, this drug targets B cells and has shown promise in reducing disease activity [3].
• Anifrolumab: Approved in 2021 for the treatment of lupus or lupus nephritis. It works by blocking a specific protein that contributes to inflammation.
• Voclosporin: Also approved in 2021, this drug targets T cells and has been shown to improve kidney function.

Other Medications

• Hydroxychloroquine: While primarily used for treating SLE symptoms, it may also be prescribed for patients with lupus nephritis [5].
• Cyclosporine: May be used in combination with other immunosuppressive agents to manage disease activity.

It's essential to note that treatment plans are tailored to individual patients and may involve a combination of these medications. Consultation with a healthcare professional is necessary to determine the best course of treatment for each patient.

References: [1] Mar 27, 2023 [2] by R Avasare · 2023 · Cited by 12 [3] In December 2020 [4] Treatments for lupus nephritis include immunosuppressive drugs such as glucocorticoids, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate, and azathioprine. [5] Aug 4, 2021 [6] May 22, 2023 [7] by RJ Falk · Cited by 1 [8] Mar 27, 2023

Lupus nephritis, a serious manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), requires accurate diagnosis to differentiate it from other kidney diseases. Here are some key points to consider:

• Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)/antiphospholipid nephropathy: This condition can cause kidney injury in patients with lupus, and its symptoms may overlap with those of lupus nephritis [4].
• Non-immune complex glomerulonephritis: Focal or diffuse immune complex GN, often with proliferative lesions, may be due to infection, a lupus-like condition, C3 GN, or other causes [8].
• Glomerular lesions causing hypertension and renal impairment: Differential diagnosis includes conditions such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), membranous nephropathy, and IgA nephropathy, which can cause similar symptoms to lupus nephritis [9].
• Autoimmune hepatobiliary disease: This condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of SLE, as it may present with similar symptoms to lupus nephritis [3].

It's essential to consider these conditions when diagnosing lupus nephritis, as accurate differentiation is crucial for effective treatment and management.

References:

[1] Mar 27, 2023 - Lupus nephritis usually arises within 5 years of diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, renal failure rarely occurs before ... [2] Jan 9, 2024 - In addition to the glomerulopathies, there are other forms of lupus kidney disease, including tubulointerstitial nephritis, vascular disease, ... [3] Aug 21, 2024 - Other problems to be considered in the differential diagnosis of SLE include the following: Autoimmune hepatobiliary disease. Discoid skin ... [4] by SV Parikh · 2020 · Cited by 453 — Besides LN, kidney injury in patients with lupus could be due to thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)/antiphospholipid nephropathy, non–immune ... [5] by YS Song · 2012 · Cited by 33 — A representative biopsy case of lupus nephritis, class V (A–D) and primary membranous nephropathy (E–H). Note the positive immunofluorescence ... [6] by JE Rojas-Rivera · 2023 · Cited by 12 — Lupus nephritis (LN) is the most frequent serious manifestation of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Up to 60% of SLE patients develop LN, which ... [7] by NCAMVU LAM · 2016 · Cited by 97 — Table 1 lists the differential diagnosis. Table 1. Differential Diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. zoom_out_mapEnlargeprintPrint ... [8] by AB Fogo · 2017 · Cited by 13 — Differential Diagnosis. Focal or diffuse immune complex GN, often with proliferative lesions, may be due to infection, lupus-like condition, C3 GN ... [9] by D Jebakumar · 2020 — The differential diagnosis includes glomerular lesions that cause hypertension, renal functional impairment, proteinuria, and hematuria, including red blood ...