Lupus nephritis
Alternative Names
Nephritis - lupus; Lupus glomerular diseaseSymptoms
Symptoms of lupus nephritis include:
- Blood in the urine
- Foamy appearance to urine
- High blood pressure
- Swelling of any area of the body
For general lupus symptoms, see the article on SLE.
Exams and Tests
A physical exam shows signs of decreased kidney functioning with edema. Blood pressure may be high. Abnormal sounds may be heard when the doctor listens to the heart and lungs, indicating fluid overload.
Lupus nephritis is usually discovered during investigation of the causes of reduced kidney function. Fewer than half of patients have other symptoms of SLE at the time of diagnosis of lupus nephritis.
Tests that may be done include:
- ANA titer
- BUN and creatinine
- Lupus test
- Urinalysis
- Urine immunoglobulin light chain
A kidney biopsy is not used to diagnose lupus nephritis, but to determine what treatment is appropriate.
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:- Complement component 3
- Complement
- Syphilis test - may be falsely positive
References
Harris ED. Budd RC, Genovese MC, Firestein GS, Sargent JS, Sledge CB. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2005.
Noble J. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001.
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