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You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Lupus Nephritis

Lupus Nephritis

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Definition

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

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Alternate Names : Lupus Glomerular Disease, Nephritis - Lupus


Definition

Lupus nephritis is a kidney disorder that is a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus, characterized by damage to the glomerulus and progressive loss of kidney function.

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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Lupus nephritis is one complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is related to the autoimmune process of lupus, where the immune system produces antibodies (antinuclear antibody and others) against body components. Complexes of these antibodies and complement accumulate in the kidneys and result in an inflammatory response.

Lupus causes various disorders of the internal structures of the kidney, including interstitial nephritis, mesangial GN, membranous GN, membranoproliferative GN, diffuse proliferative GN, and others.

It often causes nephrotic syndrome (excessive protein excretion) and may progress rapidly to renal failure. There is progressive azotemia (the accumulation of nitrogenous waste products in the bloodstream) and urinary abnormalities including protein and blood in the urine.

Lupus nephritis affects approximately 3 out of 10,000 people. Systemic lupus erythematosus is most common in women, especially those 20 to 40 years old. It has a familial tendency, with a higher incidence in blacks. It may be related to other autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma. It has been known to be triggered by pregnancy in some cases.

In children with SLE, about half will have some form or degree of kidney involvement.



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Definition
Lupus Nephritis Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Lupus Nephritis Symptoms & Signs
Lupus Nephritis Prevention
Lupus Nephritis Diagnosis & Tests
Lupus Nephritis Treatment
Lupus Nephritis Prognosis
Lupus Nephritis Complications
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Pictures & Images

Topics that might be of interest to you

Diseases & Conditions

Acute Kidney Failure
Autoimmune Disorders
Chronic Renal Failure
Dementia
End-Stage Kidney Disease
Interstitial Nephritis
Membranous Nephropathy
Mouth Ulcers
Nephrotic Syndrome
Prerenal Azotemia
Psychosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Syphilis
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)

Tests & Exams

Antinuclear Antibody Panel
Bence-Jones Protein - Quantitative
Blood Pressure
BUN
Complement
Complement Component 3 (C3)
Creatinine - Serum
Dialysis
Renal Biopsy
Urinalysis
Urinary Casts

Surgery & Procedures

Kidney Transplant

Other Topics

Acute
Antibody
Auscultation
Chest Pain
Cough
Fatigue
Fever
Immune Response
Incidence
Joint Pain
Joint Swelling
Protein in Diet
Rashes
Renal
Seizures
Swelling
Urine - Bloody
Urine Output - Decreased

Review Date : 10/17/2003
Reviewed By : Irfan A. Agha, M.D., Department of Medicine, Renal Division, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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