Lupus Nephritis in Tunisian Children: Predictive Factors of Poor Outcomes

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disorder of unknown etiology. Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most severe clinical manifestations observed in patients with SLE; it is more frequent and more severe in children than in adults. The aim of our study was to assess the predictive factors of poor outcomes in Tunisian children with LN. This was a multicenter retrospective observational study on 40 pediatric patients with biopsy-proven LN from five nephrology departments in Tunisia. The patients were 12.33 ± 3.3 years of age at the time of their kidney biopsy. Eleven patients developed end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (27.5%), and seven patients died. Overall, 18 (45%) patients reached our composite endpoint (ESRD or death). An age at diagnosis of more than 14 years, elevated serum creatinine at the time of the kidney biopsy, the existence of wire loops, thromboembolic complications as well as infectious complications are the most important clinical features associated with an increased risk of ESRD. Predictive factors of death were a baseline creatinine level of more than 2.26 mg/dL, a high proteinuria at baseline, fibrous crescents determined by renal biopsy, thromboembolic complications, infectious compli-cations, and ESRD. In summary, our results suggest that early and appropriate management is the best guarantee of a good renal outcome in children with LN.