Lupus nephritis is a severe organ manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that can affect up to 70% of the SLE population. In childhood SLE, nephritis is present in up to 90% of the cases. This disease is one of the most serious complications of SLE, with a high morbidity and mortality. Clinical manifestations of active lupus nephritis include proteinuria, active urinary sediments, and progressive renal dysfunction. It is initiated by the deposition of immunoglobulins and formation of immune complexes in the glomerular and tubulo-interstitial compartments of the kidney. There is emerging evidence that the interaction between anti-dsDNA antibodies and kidney cells, notably mesangial cells, proximal renal tubular epithelial cells, and glomerular endothelial cells plays a significant role in disease pathogenesis.
See also H00080 Systemic lupus erythematosus.
Lupus nephritis is staged according to the classification revised by the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the Renal Pathology Society (RPS) in 2003.
