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LUPUS NEPHRITIS (LN)

Overview

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or Lupus Erythematosus is a complex immune disease that occurs when the immune system loses one of its most important properties, which is the ability to distinguish between harmful foreign bodies and normal body tissues, and it starts to attack healthy tissues in different areas of the body.

In the case of Lupus Nephritis (LN), the immune system starts to attack specifically the kidneys, causing inflammation and damage to the kidney cells, which in turn leads to kidney failure. This condition is one of the most serious complications of Lupus Erythematosus.

Symptoms & Causes

There are many general symptoms of this disease such as: skin rash, sensitivity to light (Photosensitivity), nasopharyngeal ulcers, arthritis, pericarditis, neurological disorders, and immunologic disorders. While the symptoms of Lupus Nephritis are similar to those of other kidney diseases. It includes:

  • Dark colored urine
  • Hypertension
  • Presence of blood in the urine (hematuria)
  • Foamy urine (due to excess protein in the urine)
  • Having to urinate often, especially at night
  • Swelling in the feet’s, ankles, and legs that gets worse throughout the day

Diagnosis & Tests

Evaluation of symptoms and proper physical examination is done to confirm the diagnosis. Such as: Urine test, imaging tests like ultrasound and kidney biopsy.

Treatment

Lupus Nephritis is treatable but generally requires intense Immunosuppression and places patients at risk for severe infection and other adverse events. The best outcome occurs with early recognition and prompt treatment of kidney disease. The treatment used is a combination of immunosuppressive agents such as: Corticoids, Mycophenolate Mofetil, Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Plaquenil.

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