Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease involving
multiple organs and systems. Nearly all patients with SLE have renal injury in
some degrees. In most cases, Lupus Nephritis occurs after the rash, arthritis
and other symptoms. However, about ¼ of the patients with SLE have Lupus Nephritis primarily. Lupus Nephritis has various kinds of pathological courses
so its clinical symptoms also have various kinds. Clinically, the symptoms of
Lupus Nephritis include six types:
1. Mild
Some patients with Lupus Nephritis only have mild renal injury. About 30~50%
of the patients do not have clinical symptoms and they routine urinalysis
abnormalities. The urine test result is positive and the urine protein is less
than 1 gram per day. Moreover, they often have microscopic hematuria and cast
urine, but keep normal renal function.
2. Nephrotic Syndrome
It covers 40~60% of the total population with Lupus Nephritis. It includes
two types:
(1) Clinically, some patients with Lupus Nephritis simply have a large amount
of proteinuria, hypoproteinemia and edema. In this case, the disease progresses
very slowly and the survival rate of kidneys is 50% in 10 years. For this part
of patients, the systemic lupus symptoms are also not active.
(2) Besides Nephrotic Syndrome, the patients also have Nephritic Syndrome and
hematuria, hypertension and renal injury. Moreover, they often are complicated
with lupus activity. Left untreated, most of the patients with Lupus Nephritis
will develop End Stage Renal Failure in 2 years. If they can receive proper
treatment in time, they can improve the prognosis of the disease.
3. Chronic Nephritis
The population of Chronic Nephritis covers 35~50% of the patients with Lupus
Nephritis. The patients often have hypertension, proteinuria, hematuria, cast
urine, renal injury and even Renal Failure. The prognosis of this part of
patients usually is not good. They often have systemic lupus activity.
4. Tubular injury
The Lupus Nephritis patients with tubular injury often have tubular acidosis
along with kidney calcification and stone.
As Lupus Nephritis has various kinds of clinical symptoms, the patients
should pay more attention to its symptoms and receive treatment as early as
possible.