LUPUS NEPHRITIS

Lupus Nephritis is a type of kidney disease caused by systemic lupus erythomatus (SLE). Lupus is an autoimmune disease - a diorder in which the body's immune system attacks the body's own cells and organs, specifically the kidneys. Kidney disease caused by Lupus may get worse over time and lead to kidney failure. If the kidneys fail, you will need dialysis or kidney transplant to maintain your health. It do not stop there as many more health problem will arise as the effect of kidney failure.

• In adults who have lupus, as many as 5 out of 10 will have kidney disease.
• In children who have lupus, 8 of 10 will have kidney disease. The most severe kind of lupus nephritis is difuse proliferative nephritis, which causes scars on the kidneys.

RISK FACTORS

There aren't a lot of known risk factors for lupus nephritis, except for:

• SEX. Although women are more likely to develop Lupus, but men get Lupus more than women
• RACE OR ETHNICITY. Blacks, Hispanic/Latinos and Asian Americans are more likely to develop Lupus

STAGES OF LUPUS NEPHRITIS

CLASS I Immune complexes deposite in mesangium. At this stage, urinalysis is normal. Seen in 10% - 25% in SLE cases. Associated with mild clinical symptoms.	CLASS II A form of glomerulonephritis associated primarily with mesangium Noted by mesangial hypercellularity and matrix expansion Microscopic haematuria with or without proteinuria may be seen Associated with mild clinical symptoms.
CLASS III Indicate by sclerotic lesion involve less than 50% of glomeruli. Subendothelial deposits are noted. Haematuria and proteinuria may present	CLASS IV Most severe and most common subtype as mote than 50% of glomeruli involved. Lesions can be active or chronic Haematuria and proteinuria may present with frequent nephrotic snydrome and elevated vreatinine level.	CLASS V Characterised by diffuse thickening of glomeruli capillary wall Present with signs of nephrotic syndrome Lead to thrombotic compplications.