Lupus: Types, Symptoms And Lupus Nephritis Progression

Lupus is a long-term (chronic) condition that can cause inflammation and discomfort in any organ of the body. It's an autoimmune illness, which means your immune system, which normally fights infections, destroys healthy tissue instead.

Lupus: Types and Causes

When most people talk about lupus, they're referring to systemic lupus. However, there are four types of lupus:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

SLE is the most common kind of lupus. SLE is an autoimmune illness that causes the immune system to attack its own tissues, resulting in extensive inflammation and tissue destruction in the afflicted organs. It has the potential to harm joints, skin, the brain, the lungs, the kidneys, and blood vessels. Lupus has no cure, but pharmacological interventions and lifestyle adjustments can help keep it under control.

Cutaneous lupus 

The immune system of the body destroys healthy skin in an autoimmune illness. There are three types: 

• Acute cutaneous lupus (also known as "acute skin lupus")
• Subacute cutaneous lupus (also known as "subacute lupus").
• Chronic cutaneous lupus (also known as "discoid lupus").

All patients with skin lupus should be monitored for internal disease, which can affect the joints, kidneys, lungs, and other organs.

Drug-induced lupus 

Drug-induced lupus (DIL) is an autoimmune condition in which exposure to a drug results in the development of symptoms resembling those of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). DIL is a prime example of an environmental factor that causes lupus to manifest in a genetically predisposed person.

Neonatal lupus 

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (LE) is a rare immune-mediated disease that primarily affects the skin and/or heart of a newborn baby whose mother has antibodies against anti-SSA(Ro), anti-SSB(La), or anti-U1RNP.

What is Lupus Nephritis?

Lupus nephritis is a kidney condition caused by lupus that is a common consequence in persons with systemic lupus erythematosus. Systemic lupus causes immune system proteins to damage the kidneys, impairing their ability to filter waste.

Lupus nephritis affects up to 60% of lupus patients. When the kidneys become inflamed, they lose their ability to operate normally and can leak protein. Lupus nephritis can progress to kidney failure if not treated.

Lupus nephritis often occurs within five years after the onset of lupus symptoms.

Symptoms include:

• Weight increase, 
• swelling of ankles
• Increased urination (especially at night).
• The urine has a bloody and frothy look.
• High blood pressure.

Lupus nephritis symptoms may go overlooked in the early stages. If lupus nephritis is not treated, symptoms might worsen and lead to kidney failure. People suffering from major kidneys issues, such as kidney failure, may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Who can develop lupus nephritis?

According to studies, up to 60% of lupus patients will develop lupus nephritis over time, including more than half of lupus children. Lupus nephritis is more frequent in women than in males, and African American, Asian, and Hispanic women aged 15 to 44 had a greater incidence and severity of the disease, developing the disease sooner and experiencing more significant consequences.

Lupus nephritis diagnosis and treatment:

Lupus nephritis is diagnosed using a medical history, physical exam, and symptom evaluation. Your doctor will most likely request tests to make or confirm a diagnosis. Urine testing, blood tests, imaging tests like ultrasound, and kidney biopsy are all used to diagnose kidney disorders.

The kind of lupus nephritis established by the biopsy is used to guide treatment. Because symptoms and intensity differ from person to person, therapies are specifically designed to match a person's specific circumstances.

Among the medications used in therapy are:

Corticosteroids- These powerful anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce inflammation. These may be prescribed by doctors until the lupus nephritis improves. These medications must be carefully watched since they can induce a number of potentially dangerous adverse effects. Doctors usually reduce the dose after the symptoms begin to improve.

Immunosuppressive medications- These medications, which are similar to those used to treat cancer or avoid organ rejection, function by inhibiting immune system activity that harms the kidneys. Azathioprine (Imuran), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), voclosporin (Lupkynis), and mycophenolate are among them (Cellcept).

Even with treatment, kidney function loss might progress. People with lupus nephritis may require dialysis if both kidneys fail. Dialysis is the process of filtering blood via a machine in order to eliminate waste materials from the body.