Lupus nephritis treatment.

Authors

  • Carla Santos-Araújo Serviço de Nefrologia, Hospital de S. João/Faculdade de Medicina do Porto, Porto.
  • Manuel Pestana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.783

Abstract

Systemic lupus erithematosus (SLE) is a multiorganic inflammatory disease characterized by a significant morbidity and mortality related not just to disease evolution but also to therapeutic side effects. Sixty percent of SLE patients develop renal disease related to lupus. Moreover, several studies report that lupus nephritis is an important predictor of both renal impairment and global mortality in these patients. In lupus nephritis, the renal biopsy still represents a cornerstone for both histological grading and therapeutical management. Several classification schemes for lupus nephritis based mainly on morphological parameters have been proposed so far. In the WHO grading system the most severe form of lupus nephritis is the diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis or lupus nephritis class IV. In fact, several authors have documented an invariable course to end stage renal failure in these patients, in the absence of specific therapy. Despite the considerable improvement observed since the introduction of corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide treatment, a significant number of patients still present an incomplete response to therapy. Moreover, even in the cases of good response to therapy adverse events related to the treatment such as infertility, hemorrhagic cystitis or increased susceptibility to infection frequently supervenes.

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How to Cite

1.
Santos-Araújo C, Pestana M. Lupus nephritis treatment. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2008 Jul. 25 [cited 2024 Nov. 21];21(3):259-72. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/783

Issue

Section

Arquivo Histórico