End-Stage Renal Failure due to Lupus Treatment

Lupus nephritis is a kidney disorder caused by SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) which can lead to end-stage renal failure. It is a condition in which your kidneys fail to remove wastes and fluid from the blood. What is life expectancy of lupus nephritis patients? If you are suffering end-stage renal failure due to lupus, what is the available end-stage renal failure due to lupus treatment?

Conventional treatments

● Maintenance hemodialysis
During maintenance hemodialysis, patients obviate multiple thromb on account of smooth bloodstream. It tackles a difficult problem in patients with end-stage renal failure due to lupus. In some cases, it is closely related to APLA (anti-phospholipid antibody) while others who have thromb are related to endothelial cell dysfunction. Fortunately, patients with end-stage renal failure due to lupus response well to dialysis – hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

● Kidney transplant
The donor for lupus nephritis is a little different from non-lupus nephritis, which increases the difficulties in the course of treatment. Thromb which occurs during dialysis is the main problem in the patients after kidney transplant especially in patients with APLA. A survey finds that 4 in 8 patients with APLA develop thromb after kidney transplant while 5 patients without APLA don’t develop thromb.
The relapse of lupus nephritis after transplant is boring especially lupus being active although kidney transplant in lupus patients is characterized by the low relapse rate. The causes of relapsing lupus nephritis are still unknown. There is no need to adjust immune suppression drugs. Some studies show that the prognosis of end-stage renal failure due to lupus is poor.

Alternative treatments

● Plasmapheresis
Plasmapheresis is a new technique available to treat lupus nephritis which is characterized by removal of toxic substances in the bloodstream, fast alleviation of symptoms, prolong the life span in some degree.
Plasmahperesis is able to remove the toxic substances which promote the progress of kidney disease or lupus, including:
CIC (circulating immune complex)
Anti-ds-DNA antibody
ANA (antinuclear antibody)
ACLA (anticardiolipin antibody)
Blood coagulation factor
In addition, C3 and C4 can be replenished with refresh frozen plasma. Finally, the goal of treatment can be achieved.

● Immunotherapy
Since lupus is an autoimmune disease, the disorder of immune system causes a lot of complications including lupus nephritis. Immunotherapy is such treatment that aims to regulate the immune system, rebuild the immune system and restore the kidneys.

Immunotherapy is a comprehensive therapy which is composed of all kinds of therapies such as traditional Chinese medicine, immunosuppressive agents with low side effects, blood purification and medication bath etc. After a battery of tests, doctors will meet and discuss the best treatment which may include more than one therapies.

If you are diagnosed with end-stage renal failure due to lupus or you are seeking the end-stage renal failure due to lupus treatments, we are here to help you.

Learn More: Chinese Medicine for Lupus Nephritis