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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Lupus Nephritis FocusRheum

Both systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis reduce a person’s life expectancy, with SLE cutting an average of 12.4 years off a person’s life expectancy and lupus nephritis reducing life expectancy by another 2.7 years, according to a study by Mok et al. “Thus, the occurrence of renal damage is an important adverse factor for survival in patients with SLE,” they wrote. Treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms, preserving kidney function and avoiding the need for dialysis or kidney transplant, reducing morbidity and mortality, and minimizing medication-related toxicities. Review our collection of articles on the topic below. Features are added often, so check back frequently.

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Research, Case Reports & More

Antiplatelet Therapy May Protect Renal Function in Some Lupus Patients

New research suggests that antiplatelet therapy may improve the estimated glomerular filtration rate in lupus anticoagulant-positive patients with lupus nephritis. Researchers found these patients had a higher eGFR level after three years than lupus anticoagulant-positive patients who did not receive antiplatelet therapy…

Tacrolimus Use for Lupus Nephritis Raises Debate over Role in North American Population

The following summary regarding use of tacrolimus (TAC) in lupus nephritis highlights a number of debatable points. Although the role of TAC in lupus nephritis remains unproved for North American populations, it might be an excellent option in some clinical situations. These situations include lupus flare during pregnancy and also for lupus nephritis when the…

2015 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting: Latest Clinical Literature Offers New Strategies in Lupus Nephritis

SAN FRANCISCO—Rheumatologists have to look no further than the American College of Rheumatology guidelines to know that the options for patients with lupus nephritis are sometimes not very appealing. The first-line choices are either mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) plus glucocorticoids or cyclophosphamide (CYC), also with glucocorticoids—and all of their attendant side effects. The problem: evidence, said…

Understanding SLE-Associated Skin Injury May Open the Door to Therapies

In a recent review, researchers addressed skin injury in patients with SLE, discussing the effects of ultraviolet rays on the skin and the subsequent generation of autoantibodies. They concluded that UV rays activate immune cells where IgG has been deposited, resulting in inflammation…