Improved clinical outcome of lupus nephritis during the past decade: importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the differences in the outcome of lupus nephritis diagnosed either in the 1980s or the 1990s in Heidelberg, Germany.


METHODS
Fifteen patients with biopsy confirmed lupus nephritis (LN) were followed up between 1980 and 1989 and 41 patients were followed up between 1990 and 2000. Their status at diagnosis and their treatment schedules and outcome were analysed. 68% had WHO IV nephritis.


RESULTS
In the decade from 1990 to 2000 there was significantly less proteinuria (46 v 17 g/l, p=0.008), significantly lower rates of renal failure (40% v 17%, p=0.02), and fewer histological signs of chronicity (33% v 10%, p=0.01) at the time of diagnosis of LN than in the decade from 1980 to 1989. The mean (SD) time from the first appearance of proteinuria until kidney biopsy was significantly shorter in the later decade (15.4 (15.6) v 3.9 (4.7) months). Although treatment schedules were not significantly different, the outcome of the disease was significantly better in the patients who were diagnosed with LN between 1990 and 2000 (p=0.045). Whereas 6/15 (40%) patients between 1980 and 1989 had terminal renal failure after a mean time of 94 months, in the group of 1990-2000 no patient developed terminal renal failure (median observation time 24 months). In both groups one patient died from infection. A high chronicity index in histology and the presence of arterial hypertension or renal failure, or both, at the time of diagnosis were significant risk factors for the development of terminal renal failure in the course of the disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The outcome of patients with newly diagnosed LN was significantly better between 1990 and 2000 than between 1980 and 1989. Kidney damage and chronic histological changes at time of diagnosis were significantly less common between 1990 and 2000, which is attributable to earlier diagnosis and treatment in the later decade.
Fiehn
C
C
Department of Internal Medicine V, University of Heidelberg, Germany. christoph_fiehn@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Hajjar
Y
Y
Mueller
K
K
Waldherr
R
R
Ho
A D
AD
Andrassy
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide