Prognostic factors in lupus nephritis: diagnostic and therapeutic delay increases the risk of terminal renal failure.

Abstract

Our results confirm the negative prognostic impact of hypercreatininemia, class IV histopathology, and tubular atrophy in lupus nephritis. Our data show that delay between onset of nephritis and renal biopsy constitutes an important risk factor of ESRD. Patients with SLE should have kidney biopsy as soon as clinical signs of nephritis are evident in order to accelerate treatment decisions and minimize risk of inflammation-induced irreversible kidney damage.