Lupus nephritis is kidney inflammation caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus). SLE is an autoimmune disease—a disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the body’s own cells and organs. Up to 60 percent of people with SLE are diagnosed with lupus nephritis, which can lead to significant illness and even death
What are the symptoms?
Kidney problems often develop at the same time or shortly lupus symptoms appear and can include:
Joint pain or swelling (especially around the feet/ankles, hands and face)
Muscle pain
Fever with no known cause
Red rash, often on face known as butterfly rash
How is Lupus Nephritis Diagnosed?
Urinalysis - testing a sample of urine. This is a dipstick test that indicates if blood or protein is present.
Blood Tests - testing a sample of blood. This can indicate different reasons kidneys may not be functioning.
Biopsy - testing a sample of kidney. This can indicate what type of lupus nephritis the patient has and how far the disease has progressed.
There are several stages of Lupus Nephritis:
- Class I is minimal mesangial glomerulonephritis which is histologically normal on light microscopy but with mesangial deposits on electron microscopy. It constitutes about 5% of cases of lupus nephritis . Renal failure is very rare in this form.
- Class II is based on a finding of mesangial proliferative lupus nephritis. This form typically responds completely to treatment with corticosteroids. It constitutes about 20% of cases. Renal failure is rare in this form.
- Class III is focal proliferative nephritis and often successfully responds to treatment with high doses of corticosteroids. It constitutes about 25% of cases. Renal failure is uncommon in this form.
- Class IV is diffuse proliferative nephritis. This form is mainly treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressant drugs. It constitutes about 40% of cases. Renal failure is common in this form.
- Class V is membranous nephritis and is characterized by extreme edema and protein loss. It constitutes about 10% of cases. Renal failure is uncommon in this form.
A biopsy image of Lupus Nephritis - Class V
I have Membranous Lupus Nephritis and was diagnosed in February 2015. I was suppose to have a biopsy in November but I was declared too ill to have the test done. Eventually it was necessary to have one and I'm pleased I was before my kidney disease got any worse.
My current treatment for my kidneys is Cellcept and Prednisolone. I have responded well to this treatment.
There are risks to having LP - Stage V, Plasma creatinine is usually normal or slightly elevated, and stage V may not present with any other clinical/serological manifestations of SLE. Stage V also predisposes the affected individual to thrombotic complications such as renal vein thromboses or pulmonary emboli.
No comments:
Post a Comment