Lupus Nephritis
Lupus nephritis is a kidney disorder that is a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Causes: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, or lupus) is an autoimmune disease. This means there is a problem with the body's immune system. SLE may damage different parts of the kidney,It may rapidly worsen to kidney failure.
Normally, the immune system helps protect the body from infection or harmful substances. But in patients 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 tissue. More than half of patients have not had other symptoms of SLE when they are diagnosed with lupus nephritis.
Lupus nephritis affects approximately 3 out of every 10,000 people. In children with SLE, about half will have some form or degree of kidney involvement.
Symptoms Symptoms of lupus nephritis include:
Exams and Tests A physical exam shows signs of decreased kidney functioning with body swelling (edema). Blood pressure may be high. Abnormal sounds may be heard when the doctor listens to your heart and lungs.
Tests that may be done include:
Treatment The goal of treatment is to improve kidney function and to delay kidney failure.
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.
Medicines may include corticosteroids or other medications that suppress the immune system, such as cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, or azathioprine.
When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your health care provider if you have blood in the urine or swelling of your body.If you have lupus nephritis, call your health care provider if you notice decreased urine output.
Prevention There is no known prevention for lupus nephritis.
Causes: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, or lupus) is an autoimmune disease. This means there is a problem with the body's immune system. SLE may damage different parts of the kidney,It may rapidly worsen to kidney failure.
Normally, the immune system helps protect the body from infection or harmful substances. But in patients 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 tissue. More than half of patients have not had other symptoms of SLE when they are diagnosed with lupus nephritis.
Lupus nephritis affects approximately 3 out of every 10,000 people. In children with SLE, about half will have some form or degree of kidney involvement.
Symptoms Symptoms of lupus nephritis include:
- Blood in the urine
- Foamy appearance to urine
- High blood pressure
- swelling of any area of the body
Exams and Tests A physical exam shows signs of decreased kidney functioning with body swelling (edema). Blood pressure may be high. Abnormal sounds may be heard when the doctor listens to your heart and lungs.
Tests that may be done include:
- ANA titer
- BUN and Creatinine
- Complement
- Urinalysis
- Urine protein
Treatment The goal of treatment is to improve kidney function and to delay kidney failure.
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.
Medicines may include corticosteroids or other medications that suppress the immune system, such as cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, or azathioprine.
When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your health care provider if you have blood in the urine or swelling of your body.If you have lupus nephritis, call your health care provider if you notice decreased urine output.
Prevention There is no known prevention for lupus nephritis.