Proliferative lupus nephritis in the absence of overt systemic lupus erythematosus: A historical study of 12 adult patients

Abstract Severe lupus nephritis in the absence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a rare condition with an unclear clinical presentation and outcome. We conducted a historical observational study of 12 adult (age>18 years) patients with biopsy-proven severe lupus nephritis or lupus-like nephritis without SLE immunological markers at diagnosis or during follow-up. Excluded were patients with chronic infections with HIV or hepatitis B or C; patients with a bacterial infectious disease; and patients with pure membranous nephropathy. Electron microscopy was retrospectively performed when the material was available. End points were the proportion of patients with a complete response (urine protein to creatinine ratio
Source: Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Tags: Research Article: Observational Study Source Type: research