Biopsy proven lupus nephritis: a 5-year clinico-pathologic insight from a single centre

Abstract

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-organ, relapsing and remitting autoimmune disease in which auto-antibodies are produced against self-antigens, resulting in widespread inflammation and tissue damage in involved organs. Renal involvement is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In this research report we aim to describe the epidemiologic features, clinical presenting features and histologic findings in patients with lupus nephritis. Methods: A 5-year retrospective analysis of clinical presentation, serological data and histological findings was performed on patients with biopsy proven lupus nephritis. Results: A total of 354 renal biopsies with a diagnosis of lupus nephritis were identified from January 2014 to December 2018. The mean age of participants was 30(22-37) years. The mean age at biopsy for children was 14(13-16) and adults 31(25-38). The most common lupus class in children was III and adults was V. Proteinuria was the commonest clinical presenting feature noted in 96/354 (72.1%) followed by nephrotic syndrome 80/354 (22.6%) and nephritic syndrome 17/354 (4.8%). Conclusion: This report confirms that lupus nephritis is more common in females than in males and that sub-nephrotic and nephrotic range proteinuria are the most common clinical presenting features. Vascular lesions are uncommon in renal biopsies from patients with lupus nephritis. The most common lupus nephritis class in this study is V.