Title: Response to treatment as a predictor of longterm outcome in patients with lupus nephritis. Author: Fraenkel L, MacKenzie T, Joseph L, Kashgarian M, Hayslett JP, Esdaile JM. Journal: J Rheumatol; 1994 Nov; 21(11):2052-7. PubMed ID: 7869309. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate response to therapy over one year as a predictor of several longterm outcomes in lupus nephritis. METHODS: Response to treatment was evaluated by comparing serum creatinine and 24 h urine protein excretion at initial renal biopsy to those obtained after one year of treatment. Response at one year was evaluated as a predictor of renal failure, death due to lupus nephritis, and total lupus mortality, using survival analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients with lupus nephritis diagnosed between 1967 and 1983 and followed through 1990 were studied. Change in proteinuria was a powerful predictor of renal failure (p = 0.001) death due to lupus nephritis (p < 0.001) and overall lupus mortality (p = 0.001). In contrast to a recent study of patients selected for severe lupus nephritis, serum creatinine was not found to be of prognostic significance. CONCLUSION: Response of proteinuria to treatment over one year is a useful predictor of longterm outcomes in lupus nephritis.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]
