Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidney caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease of the immune system. SLE causes harm to the skin, joints, kidneys, and brain.

What causes SLE is unknown. Many factors may play a role, including

• heredity (a gene passed down by a parent)
• infections
• viruses
• air pollution.

Some people with SLE may have no symptoms of kidney disease. However, lupus nephritis may cause weight gain, high blood pressure, dark urine, or swelling around the eyes, legs, ankles, or fingers.

Diagnosis may require urine and blood tests and x-rays of the kidneys. Treatment depends on the symptoms. Medicines can decrease swelling, lower blood pressure, and decrease inflammation by suppressing the immune system. The patient may need to limit protein, sodium, and potassium intake.

More information is available from

American Lupus Society
260 Maple Court, Suite 123
Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 339–0443
(800) 331–1802

Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
1300 Piccard Drive, Suite 200
Rockville, MD 20850–4303
(301) 670–9292
(800) 558–0121
http://www.lupus.org/lupus
lupusInfo@aol.com

National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NAMSIC)
National Institutes of Health
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, Maryland 20892–3675

NAMSIC has an online publication on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

To provide you with the most up-to-date resources, information specialists at the clearinghouse created an automatic search of CHID. To obtain this information you may view the results of the automatic search on Lupus Nephritis.