The frequency of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus undergoing kidney biopsy.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the frequency of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) undergoing kidney biopsy.


METHODS
A retrospective review of all renal biopsies of patients with SLE at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center was performed for the years 1989 to 2001.


RESULTS
Four cases of clinical and histopathological TTP were identified among the 257 patients with SLE who underwent renal biopsy during the 12 year study period.


CONCLUSIONS
TTP appears to occur at higher than expected frequency among SLE patients undergoing biopsy for unexplained renal failure.
Manadan
Augustine M
AM
Rush Medical College, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. amanadan@rush.edu
Harris
Charlotte
C
Schwartz
Melvin M
MM
Block
Joel A
JA
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000150:complications*; D012189:Retrospective Studies