Lupus nephritis

Lupus nephritis
Other namesSLE nephritis[1]
Micrograph of diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis showing increased mesangial matrix and mesangial hypercellularity. Kidney biopsy. PAS stain.
SpecialtyNephrology Edit this on Wikidata
SymptomsJoint pain or swelling[2]
CausesComplication of systemic lupus erythematosus.[3]
Diagnostic methodComplement levels, Urinalysis[3]
TreatmentCorticosteroids may be used[3]

Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease.[3] It is a type of glomerulonephritis in which the glomeruli become inflamed. Since it is a result of SLE, this type of glomerulonephritis is said to be secondary, and has a different pattern and outcome from conditions with a primary cause originating in the kidney.[4][2] The diagnosis of lupus nephritis depends on blood tests, urinalysis, X-rays, ultrasound scans of the kidneys, and a kidney biopsy. On urinalysis, a nephritic picture is found and red blood cell casts, red blood cells and proteinuria is found.

  1. ^ Ponticelli, C.; Moroni, G. (2005-01-01). "Renal transplantation in lupus nephritis". Lupus. 14 (1): 95–98. doi:10.1191/0961203305lu2067oa. ISSN 0961-2033. PMID 15732296. S2CID 36968488.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference niddk was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d "Lupus nephritis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". www.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  4. ^ Saxena, Ramesh; Mahajan, Tina; Mohan, Chandra (2011-01-01). "Lupus nephritis: current update". Arthritis Research & Therapy. 13 (5): 240. doi:10.1186/ar3378. ISSN 1478-6354. PMC 3308062. PMID 22078716.