Dicle Medical Journal (Jan 2008)
The Current Treatment for SLE Nephritis
Abstract
Renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a serious and common complication of the disease that significantly worsens morbidity and mortality. However, the optimal treatment of lupus nephritis remains unclear. Treatment may be divided into immunologic and non-immunologic categories. Non-immunologic treatment consists of anti-hypertensive, anti-proteinüric, and anti-hyperlipidemic options. Immunologic treatment must be designed according to the classification by International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) in induction and remission topics. New regimens consisting mycophenolate are successful in induction and remission. The potential of other new therapeutic agents is discussed together with results of studies performed with commonly used drugs. As a conclusion, treatment must be based histological classification of ISN/RPS and individualized.
