Treatment for Lupus Nephritis

Evaluating renal function in patients with SLE to detect any renal involvement early is important because early detection and treatment can significantly improve renal outcome. Renal biopsy should be considered in any patient with SLE who has clinical or laboratory evidence of active nephritis, especially upon the first episode of nephritis.

There are two factors can affect the prognosis of Lupus Nephritis. One is high blood pressure and the other is protein urine. High blood pressure can make the kidneys work harder. Over time, it can damage blood vessels throughout the whole body. The tiny blood vessels in kidneys are responsible for filtering blood. If the blood vessels are impaired, the filtering ability of kidneys will reduce significantly. To slow prognosis of Lupus Nephritis, controlling blood pressure within normal level( 130/80mmHg) can improve its prognosis.

Proteinuria has toxity, it can cause direct damage to glomerular mesangial cells and renal tubular, thus deteriorating renal function. Meanwhile, proteinuria can cause renal tubular anoxia, resulting in tubular impairment.

Corticosteroids, such as prednisone and prednisolone, are accepted as the initial treatment for lupus nephritis. The steroids may be given by mouth or intravenously. Also, high dose corticosteroids (methylprednisolone) that are given in single, large doses (pulses) intravenously for three consecutive days are also a useful initial treatment for lupus nephritis, which is then followed by corticosteroids by mouth. The immune suppression medications that are used to treat lupus nephritis include azathioprine (Imuran) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), both of which can be given by mouth. These medicines may bring some side effects to the patients, so we usually suggest Chinese treatments for them. If you want to know more, you are welcomed to leave us a message or you can send us an email to doctornickzhnag@hotmail.com.