Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSigns and SymptomsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Lupus nephritis occurs in up to 60% of people with lupus.Among people who have lupus nephritis, 10% to 30% develop kidney failure, so it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms.
This article describes the signs and symptoms of lupus nephritis. It also explains how this condition is diagnosed and treated.
Lothar Drechsel / Getty Images
What Causes Lupus Nephritis?
People who have lupus and associated glomerular damage have lupusglomerulonephritis(LGN). LGN occurs when antibodies and complement proteins build up in the kidneys and cause inflammation.
What Are the First Signs of Lupus Nephritis?
If you are developing lupus nephritis, you may notice these signs and symptoms:
How Is Lupus Nephritis Diagnosed?
To determine if you have lupus nephritis, your physician will conduct urine tests, as well as a physical exam to check your blood pressure and look for fluid build-up around the body, called edema. A blood test may be used to look for high levels ofcreatinine, a waste product that increases when the kidneys are not functioning well.
Once it’s strongly suspected that you have lupus nephritis, your healthcare provider will order a kidney biopsy. There are six types of lupus glomerulonephritis that vary in severity. A biopsy will help identify what type of LGN you have. This diagnosis will help predict the expected course of your kidney problems and guide your treatment.
Because some types of LN can result in complete kidney dysfunction and dependence on dialysis, biopsy results are necessary to shape your care plan and help determine which therapy is necessary and how aggressive it needs to be.
What Is the Best Treatment for Lupus Nephritis?
If you’re diagnosed with lupus nephritis, your treatment will focus on improving your kidney function. There are a few options available, and most likely your treatment will be individualized based on the severity and other factors of your disease. Some treatments include:
The good news is that, for most people, treatment for lupus nephritis is highly effective.
Summary
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Lupus nephritis.Rojas-Rivera JE, García-Carro C, Ávila AI, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of lupus nephritis: a summary of the consensus document of the Spanish Group for the study of Glomerular Diseases (GLOSEN).Clinical Kidney Journal. 2023;16(9):1384-1402. doi:10.1093/ckj/sfad055NIH. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Lupus & kidney disease (lupus nephritis).Additional ReadingLupus Nephritis. Medline Plus. Lupus and Kidney Disease. Lupus Foundation of America. January 2008.Lupus Nephritis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. April 2014.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Lupus nephritis.Rojas-Rivera JE, García-Carro C, Ávila AI, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of lupus nephritis: a summary of the consensus document of the Spanish Group for the study of Glomerular Diseases (GLOSEN).Clinical Kidney Journal. 2023;16(9):1384-1402. doi:10.1093/ckj/sfad055NIH. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Lupus & kidney disease (lupus nephritis).Additional ReadingLupus Nephritis. Medline Plus. Lupus and Kidney Disease. Lupus Foundation of America. January 2008.Lupus Nephritis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. April 2014.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Lupus nephritis.Rojas-Rivera JE, García-Carro C, Ávila AI, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of lupus nephritis: a summary of the consensus document of the Spanish Group for the study of Glomerular Diseases (GLOSEN).Clinical Kidney Journal. 2023;16(9):1384-1402. doi:10.1093/ckj/sfad055NIH. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Lupus & kidney disease (lupus nephritis).
MedlinePlus.Lupus nephritis.
Rojas-Rivera JE, García-Carro C, Ávila AI, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of lupus nephritis: a summary of the consensus document of the Spanish Group for the study of Glomerular Diseases (GLOSEN).Clinical Kidney Journal. 2023;16(9):1384-1402. doi:10.1093/ckj/sfad055
NIH. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Lupus & kidney disease (lupus nephritis).
Lupus Nephritis. Medline Plus. Lupus and Kidney Disease. Lupus Foundation of America. January 2008.Lupus Nephritis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. April 2014.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
