Nephritis Sets in Early in Lupus, Treatment Guidelines Can Stave Off Worsening Condition

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By the time a patient is diagnosed with SLE, nephritis has already set in for 35 percent of patients. The American College of Rheumatology offers screening, treatment and management guidelines for lupus nephritis patients. In this slideshow, we review the options.

By the time a patient is diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), nephritis has already set in for approximately 35 percent of patients. And, within 10 years, the number climbs to 50-60 percent of patients. The very presence of lupus nephritis reduces survival from 92 percent at 10 years to 88 percent, according to one estimate. The American College of Rheumatology offers screening, treatment and management guidelines for lupus nephritis patients. In this slideshow, we review the options.UPDATE:Â First-Ever Treatment for Lupus Nephritis Wins FDA ApprovalÂ

References:

Hahn B, McMahon M, Wilkinson A, Wallace WD, Daikh D, Fitzgerald J, Karpouzas G, Merrill J, Wallace D, Yazdany J, Ramsey-Goldman R, Singh K, Khalighi M, Choi S, Gogia M, Kafaja S, Kamgar M, Lau C, Martin W, Parikh S, Peng J, Rastogi A, Chen W, Grossman J, American College of Rheumatology Guidelines for Screening, Treatment, and Management of Lupus Nephritis. Arthritis Care & Research (2012), doi: 10.1002/acr.21664