overview
- In a kidney
Kidney Cross Section Open the pop-up dialog box
Lupus nephritis is a common complication in people with systemic lupus erythematosus – more commonly known as lupus. - Lupus is an autoimmune disease. When your immune system makes proteins, they are autoantibodies that attack your own tissues and organs, including the kidneys.
symptoms
The signs and symptoms of lupus nephritis include:
- Blood in your urine
- Foamy urine (due to excess protein in the urine)
- Arterial hypertension
- Swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet
The reasons
Almost half of adults with systemic lupus will develop lupus nephritis. Systemic lupus causes proteins in the immune system to damage the kidneys and impair their ability to filter waste.
Risk factors
Not many risk factors for lupus nephritis are known except:
Sex. Although women are more likely to develop lupus, men are more likely to have lupus nephritis than women.
Race or ethnicity. Blacks, Hispanics / Latinos, and Asian Americans are more likely to have lupus nephritis than whites.
Complications
Lupus nephritis can lead to kidney dysfunction or kidney failure.
