Clinicopathological and outcome analysis of adult lupus nephritis patients in China

Treatment outcome and survival status among adult patients treated for lupus nephritis in selected tertiary hospitals of Ethiopia

Lupus nephritis (LN) is kidney involvement of systematic lupus erythematous that ranges from mild to severe and occurs in 60% of adult patients. Despite advances in therapy, LN morbidity and mortality remains high. There is a paucity of data regarding adult LN patient's treatment outcome, survival status, and associated factors in developing countries, particularly in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the treatment outcome, survival status, and associated factors of adult patients treated for LN in two selected tertiary hospitals [Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) and St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC)] of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted from January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2021. Socio-demographic, clinical, and treatment-related data were collected from patient's medical records by using a structured abstraction checklist. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the quantitative data as appropriate. The modified Aspreva Lupus Management Study (mALMS) criteria was applied to categorize LN treatment outcomes into complete, partial, and non-response. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of LN treatment outcome. Patients' survival was estimated by using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportion regression analysis. P value < 0.05 was considered to declare statistical significance. A total of 200 LN patients were included in the final analysis. Amongst these, the majority of them (91.5%) were females. The median age of the patients was 28 (15-60) years. The mean duration of treatment follow-up was 28 months. The commonly prescribed immunosuppressive drugs during both the induction (49.5%) and maintenance (60%) phases were a combination of mycophenolate mofetil with prednisolone. Complete, partial, and non-responses at the last follow-up visit accounted for 66.5%, 18.0%, and 15.5%, respectively. Patient survival at the last follow-up visit was more than 90% for patients with complete response to the induction therapy. Non-response at the last follow-up visit was significantly associated with severe disease activity index (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.49-26.10), presence of comorbidity (AOR = 0.21, 95% CI 0.05-0.92), baseline leucopenia (AOR = 14.2, 95% CI 1.04-201.3), partial response at the end of induction therapy (AOR = 32.63, 95% CI 1.4-736.0), and duration of induction therapy of greater than 6 months (AOR = 19.47, 95% CI 1.5-258.8). This study unveiled that lower numbers of LN patients were presented with non-response at the last follow-up visit and non-response to induction therapy was associated with lower patients' survival rates compared with complete or partial response.

Searching for a prognostic index in lupus nephritis

BACKGROUND

Currently we do not have an ideal biomarker in lupus nephritis (LN) that should help us to identify those patients with SLE at risk of developing LN or to determine those patients at risk of renal progression. We aimed to evaluate the development of a prognostic index for LN, through the evaluation of clinical, analytical and histological factors used in a cohort of lupus. We have proposed to determine which factors, 6 months after the diagnosis of LN, could help us to define which patients will have a worse evolution of the disease and may be, more aggressive treatment and closer follow-up.

METHODS

A retrospective study to identify prognostic factors was carried out. We have included patients over 18 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and kidney involvement confirmed by biopsy, who are followed up in our centre during the last 20 years. A multi-step statistical approach will be used in order to obtain a limited set of parameters, optimally selected and weighted, that show a satisfactory ability to discriminate between patients with different levels of prognosis.

RESULTS

We analysed 92 patients with LN, although only 73 have been able to be classified according to whether or not they have presented poor renal evolution. The age of onset (44 vs. 32; p = 0.024), the value of serum creatinine (1.41 vs. 1.04; p = 0.041), greater frequency of thrombocytopenia (30 vs. 7%; p = 0.038), higher score in the renal chronicity index (2.47 vs. 1.04; p = 0.015), proliferative histological type (100%) and higher frequency of interstitial fibrosis (67 vs. 32%; p = 0.017) and tubular atrophy (67 vs. 32%; p = 0.018) was observed between two groups. The multivariate analysis allowed us to select the best predictive model for poor outcome at 6 months based on different adjustment and discrimination parameters.

CONCLUSION

We have developed a prognostic index of poor renal evolution in patients with LN that combines demographic, clinical, analytical and histopathological factors, easy to use in routine clinical practice and that could be an effective tool in the early detection and management.

Sex differences in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): an inception cohort of the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research Group (CSTAR) registry XVII

BACKGROUND

The onset and clinical presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are sex-related. Few studies have investigated the distinctions in clinical characteristics and treatment preferences in male and female SLE patients in the initial cohort. This study aimed to improve the understanding of Chinese SLE patients by characterizing the different sexes of SLE patients in the inception cohort.

METHODS

Based on the initial patient cohort established by the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research Group, a total of 8713 patients (795 men and 7918 women) with newly diagnosed SLE were enrolled between April 2009 and March 2021. Of these, 2900 patients (347 men and 2553 women) were eligible for lupus nephritis (LN). A cross-sectional analysis of the baseline demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory parameters, organ damage, initial treatment regimens, and renal pathology classification was performed according to sex.

RESULTS

In the SLE group, as compared to female patients, male patients had a later age of onset (male vs. female: 37.0 ± 15.8 years vs. 35.1 ± 13.7 years, P  = 0.006) and a higher SLE International Collaborative Clinic/American College of Rheumatology damage index score (male vs. female: 0.47 ± 1.13 vs. 0.34 ± 0.81, P  = 0.015), LN (male vs. female: 43.6% vs. 32.2%, P < 0.001), fever (male vs. female: 18.0% vs. 14.6%, P  = 0.010), thrombocytopenia (male vs. female: 21.4% vs. 18.5%, P  = 0.050), serositis (male vs. female: 14.7% vs. 11.7%, P  = 0.013), renal damage (male vs. female: 11.1% vs. 7.4%, P < 0.001), and treatment with cyclophosphamide (CYC) (P < 0.001). The frequency of leukopenia (male vs. female: 20.5% vs. 25.4%, P  = 0.002) and arthritis (male vs. female: 22.0% vs. 29.9%, P < 0.001) was less in male patients with SLE. In LN, no differences were observed in disease duration, SLE Disease Activity Index score, renal biopsy pathological typing, or 24-h urine protein quantification among the sexes. In comparisons with female patients with LN, male patients had later onset ages (P  = 0.026), high serum creatinine (P < 0.001), higher end-stage renal failure rates (P  = 0.002), musculoskeletal damage (P  = 0.023), cardiovascular impairment (P  = 0.009), and CYC use (P  = 0.001); while leukopenia (P  = 0.017), arthritis (P  = 0.014), and mycophenolate usage (P  = 0.013) rates were lower.

CONCLUSIONS

Male SLE patients had more severe organ damage and a higher LN incidence compared with female SLE patients; therefore, they may require more aggressive initial treatment compared to female patients.

Causes and predictors of mortality from lupus nephritis in Southern Hunan, China

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to explore the causes and predictors of mortality in a cohort of LN with LN in southern Hunan, China.

METHODS

We analyzed 236 patients with biopsy-proven LN during 2010-2018. Demographic data, laboratory data, SLEDAI scores, treatment strategies, and comorbidity were collected. Cox regression analysis was carried out to determine the independent predictors of mortality.

RESULTS

The patients had mean disease duration of 67.9 ± 28.2 months. Class IV LN was the predominant biopsy class within the cohort (38.1%). After 1 year therapy, the majority of patients achieved complete remission (72.9%) and 44 (18.6%) patients achieved partial remission. The 5- and 10-years survival rates for our cohort were 94.4 and 85.2%, respectively. There were 18 deaths (7.6%), of which the main causes were infection (50%) alone and cardiovascular diseases (27.8%). Independent predictors of mortality in our cohort were: platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR) [hazard ratio (HR) 5.910; confidence interval (CI) 1.253-27.875], onset age (HR 1.090; CI 1.035-1.147), and SLEDAI scores (HR 1.258; CI 1.068-1.482).

CONCLUSION

We firstly revealed that PNR might be a promising predictor of mortality and reported the causes and prognostic predictors of mortality in LN from southern Hunan, China.

Something new about prognostic factors for lupus nephritis? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Lupus nephritis (LN) affects 30-45% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and causes great morbidity and mortality. About 10-25% of patients will develop chronic kidney disease (CKD), and it has been described a mortality of 10-20% at 10 years. The contribution of clinical and biological markers to the prediction of outcome is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the factors, with measures of association, that predict the main outcomes of LN.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We have conducted a systematic review. Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library were systematic searched from inception up to Oct 2019, with a strategy that included synonyms of all targeted outcomes of LN: (kidney failure, response to treatment, cardiovascular events, and mortality). Only studies with longitudinal prospective design or with warranties of unbiased recollection of the prognostic factors, where LN was confirmed by biopsy were included. Risk of bias was assessed with the New Castle Ottawa scale. Predictive factors and their effect measures were collected from each study.

RESULTS

From 1221 studies identified, 25 studies were included, of which 15 were retrospective, nine prospective, and one was a trial extension study (range from 3 months to 11 years). The main predictive factors of renal response were serum creatinine (SCr) and glomerular filtration rate C3 levels, titer of anti-C1q, and anti-dsDNA antibodies. Renal histological findings such as class type (IV or V), tubulointerstitial or vascular lesions and chronicity index were risk factors for development of chronic kidney disease. The factors associated with persistence of activity were proteinuria, anti-dsDNA, anticardiolipin, anti C1q antibodies, and complement values. The factors associated to cardiovascular events and mortality were age, smoking, amount of proteinuria, and histological findings, such as vascular lesions. Meta-analysis was precluded given the heterogeneity of designs definitions and effect measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Nowadays, we do not have new biomarkers that establish the renal prognosis of patients with LN. Classical clinical, renal, and histological markers are used in most studies. It is worth noting the heterogeneity of studies in the definition of renal outcomes, which complicates risk stratification in these patients.

Pioglitazone Attenuates Lupus Nephritis Symptoms in Mice by Modulating miR-21-5p/TIMP3 Axis: the Key Role of the Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus and miR-21-5p is upregulated during LN. In the current study, the effects of pioglitazone (Pg), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) agonist, on LN development were assessed and explained by focusing miR-21-5p/TIMP3 axis. The expressions of miR-21-5p and PPARγ in LN mice were detected and then the mice were treated with pioglitazone to evaluate the anti-LN effects of agent. The miR-21-5p level was induced in MRL/lpr mice to confirm the central role of miR-21-5p inhibition in the protective effects of Pg against LN. The level of miR-21-5p was upregulated, while the level of PPARγ was downregulated in MRL/lpr mice. Pg inhibited miR-21-5p in renal tissues, which induced the expression of TIMP3. The changes in miR-21-5p/TIMP3 axis led to the improvements in renal structure and function, and inhibited autoimmune response. The induction of miR-21-5p impaired the effects of Pg, along with the suppression of TIMP3. The expression of miR-21-5p was associated with the progression of LN, contributing to the suppression of TIMP3 and development of LN. The inhibition of the miR-21-5p by Pg would restore the structure and function of kidneys in LN mice via the activation of PPARγ.

Management of lupus nephritis: a systematic literature review informing the 2019 update of the joint EULAR and European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (EULAR/ERA-EDTA) recommendations

Objectives

To analyse the current evidence for the management of lupus nephritis (LN) informing the 2019 update of the EULAR/European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association recommendations.

Methods

According to the EULAR standardised operating procedures, a PubMed systematic literature review was performed, from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2018. Since this was an update of the 2012 recommendations, the final level of evidence (LoE) and grading of recommendations considered the total body of evidence, including literature prior to 2012.

Results

We identified 387 relevant articles. High-quality randomised evidence supports the use of immunosuppressive treatment for class III and class IV LN (LoE 1a), and moderate-level evidence supports the use of immunosuppressive treatment for pure class V LN with nephrotic-range proteinuria (LoE 2b). Treatment should aim for at least 25% reduction in proteinuria at 3 months, 50% at 6 months and complete renal response (<500–700 mg/day) at 12 months (LoE 2a-2b). High-quality evidence supports the use of mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolic acid (MMF/MPA) or low-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide (CY) as initial treatment of active class III/IV LN (LoE 1a). Combination of tacrolimus with MMF/MPA and high-dose CY are alternatives in specific circumstances (LoE 1a). There is low-quality level evidence to guide optimal duration of immunosuppression in LN (LoE 3). In end-stage kidney disease, all methods of kidney replacement treatment can be used, with transplantation having the most favourable outcomes (LoE 2b).

Conclusions

There is high-quality evidence to guide the initial and subsequent phases of class III/IV LN treatment, but low-to-moderate quality evidence to guide treatment of class V LN, monitoring and optimal duration of immunosuppression.

Renal Tubular Acidosis in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a clinical manifestation that occurs with insufficiency in restoring bicarbonate or disruption in hydrogen ion elimination as a result of a disruption in tubulus functions, causing normal anion gap-opening metabolic acidosis. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of RTA in the largest systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patient population to date.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

SLE patients, who were followed up in 2 different healthcare centers, were included. Patients with metabolic acidosis (pH <7.35 and HCO3 <22 mEq/L) in venous blood gas analysis were determined. The serum and urine anion GAP of these patients were estimated, and the urine pH was assessed. RTA presence was evaluated as metabolic acidosis with a normal serum anion gap and a positive urine anion GAP.

RESULTS

A total of 108 patients were included in the present study. The mean age of the patients was 41.5 ± 1.2 and 87% were female. The SLE diagnosis duration was 75 ± 5 months. The mean creatinine value ​​was 0.6 ± 0.1 mg/dL and the mean eGFR was 111 ± 2 mL/min. According to the blood gas analysis, 18 patients (16.7% of the total) had RTA. Sixteen of these patients had type 1 RTA and 2 had type 2 RTA; type 4 RTA was not determined in any of the patients.

CONCLUSION

RTA should be considered in SLE patients even if they have normal eGFR values. This is the largest study to examine the prevalence of RTA in SLE patients in the literature.

Factors Associated with Renal Outcomes in an Inception Cohort of Biopsy-proven Lupus Nephritis Patients

Objective: To identify the clinical factors associated with renal response and flare in lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods: All 115 patients with biopsy-proven LN diagnosed between January 2002 and June 2015 in a tertiary centre comprised of an inception cohort that was followed up until February 2017. Baseline demographic, clinical parameters, renal biopsy histology, induction and maintenance immunosuppressive therapies, complete renal response (CRR), creatinine doubling, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), renal flares and infections were retrieved and analyzed with univariate log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression.

Results: At the time of the first renal biopsy, the age of patients was 38 ± 12.2 years (mean ± standard deviation), 90% female and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease duration 46 months (median); 67.0% were LN class IV or class IV + V. Patients were followed up for 104 ±49 months after biopsy. At months 3, 6, 12 and 24, a cumulative 25%, 46%, 66% and 76% of patients had achieved CRR, respectively. However, 49.5% who had CRR experienced [Formula: see text]1 infection of renal flare, with cumulative risk of 5%, 17%, 25% and 43% at year 1, 2, 3 and 5, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that nephrotic syndrome ([Formula: see text] = 0.03) and delay of renal biopsy [Formula: see text]2 months from the onset of LN ([Formula: see text] ¡ 0.01) were negatively associated with CRR. Hydroxychloroquine use was beneficial in attaining CRR ([Formula: see text] = 0.03, hazard ratio = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.80) and preventing renal flare ([Formula: see text] = 0.01, odds ratio = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.88). By the end of the study, 80% of patients remained in CRR though 10.4% patients ended up in ESRD (all class IV), 8.7% died and 28.7% had [Formula: see text]1 infection episode requiring hospitalization.

Conclusion: Most LN patients could achieve CRR after immunosuppressive therapy but renal flares were common over time. Infective complications were fairly frequent but the incidence of ESRD was low. The use of hydroxychloroquine was associated with better renal response and fewer flares.

Systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus nephritis and end-stage renal disease: a pragmatic review mapping disease severity and progression

Objective

The understanding of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) pathogenesis remains incomplete. This review assessed LN development in SLE, within-LN progression and progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Methods

A keyword-based literature search was conducted, and 26 publications were included.

Results

Overall, 7–31% of patients had LN at SLE diagnosis; 31–48% developed LN after SLE diagnosis, most within 5 years. Class IV was the most commonly found LN class and had the worst prognosis. Histological transformation occurred in 40–76% of patients, more frequently from non-proliferative rather than proliferative lesions. Cumulative 5- and 10-year ESRD incidences in patients with SLE were 3% and 4%, respectively, and 3–11% and 6–19%, respectively, in patients with SLE and LN.

Conclusions

Elevated serum creatinine was identified as a predictor of worsening disease state, and progression within LN classes and from SLE/LN to ESRD. This review highlights the substantial risk for developing LN and progressing to ESRD amongst patients with SLE.

Combination immunosuppressant therapy and lupus nephritis outcome: a hospital-based study

Lupus nephritis (LN) is the leading cause of mortality in lupus patients. This study aimed to investigate the treatment outcome and renal histological risk factors of LN in a tertiary referral center. Between 2006 and 2017, a retrospective observational study enrolled 148 biopsy-proven LN patients. After propensity score matching, 75 cases were included for further analysis. The classification and scoring of LN were assessed according to the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society. Treatment response was evaluated by daily urine protein and urinalysis at two years after commencing induction treatment and the development of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In total, 50.7% patients achieved complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR), while 49.3% patients were categorized as nonresponders. Therapeutic responses in terms of CR/PR rates were associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index scores (odds ratio (OR): 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12-1.60, p = 0.001). Moreover, higher baseline creatinine levels (hazard ratio (HR): 2.10, 95% CI: 1.29-3.40, p = 0.003), higher renal activity index (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.07-1.58, p = 0.008) and chronicity index (HR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.06-1.85, p = 0.017) predicted ESRD. Among pathological scores, cellular crescents (HR: 4.42, 95% CI: 1.01-19.38, p = 0.049) and fibrous crescents (HR: 5.93, 95% CI: 1.41-24.92, p = 0.015) were independent risk factors for ESRD. In conclusion, higher lupus activity was a good prognostic marker for renal remission. Renal histology was predictive of ESRD. Large-scale prospective studies are required to verify the efficacy of mycophenolate in combination with azathioprine or cyclosporine in LN patients.

Kidney injury in systemic lupus erythematosus: lack of correlation between clinical and histological data

BACKGROUND

The existence and type of renal involvement influences the prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus and this information may be critical when it comes to taking appropriate therapeutic decisions.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate statistical correlations between clinical and histological data in patients with biopsied lupus nephropathy.

METHODS

Review of clinical information in adult kidney biopsy requests reported between 2002 and 2014 with a definitive clinical and histopathological diagnosis of renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus.

RESULTS

134 cases (86% women), aged 15-59 years. Indication for renal biopsy: asymptomatic urinary abnormalities (30%), nephrotic proteinuria without hypoalbuminaemia (9%), nephrotic syndrome (19%), renal failure (40%) and two cases without clinical renal manifestations. The most common lesions were purely proliferative (68%). In patients with asymptomatic urinary abnormalities, 35% were class IV, 30% class III, 23% mixed, 10% class V and 2% class II. In subjects with nephrotic proteinuria, 75% were class IV, 17% mixed and 8% class III. In nephrotic syndrome patients, 46% were class IV, 27% class V, 19% mixed and 8% class III. In renal failure subjects, 67% were class IV, 22% mixed, 7% class III and 4% class V. These proportions were not statistically different. Although class IV showed the worst renal function, almost half (44%) of those without renal failure belonged to this class.

CONCLUSION

We could not demonstrate a consistent clinical-pathological relationship that predicts patterns or severity of histological findings based on the clinical profile in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and renal manifestations. These results highlight the importance of biopsy as a key diagnostic tool in this disease.

Inhibition of microRNA-182-5p contributes to attenuation of lupus nephritis via Foxo1 signaling

MiR-182-5p suppresses expression of Foxo1 that is a protective factor in renal disorders and is up-regulated in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Thus, we hypothesized that dys-function of miR-182-5p/Foxo1 axis contributed to development of lupus nephritis (LN). Firstly, we investigated the expressions of miR-182-5p and Foxo1 in LN patients and during growth of LN MRL/lpr mice. Then we subjected MRL/lpr mice to the injection of miR-182-5p antagomirs and assessed the effect of miR-182-5p inhibition on renal structure and function. In vitro, we administrated renal cell lines with TGF-β1 to explore the relation between renal fibrosis and miR-182-5p. The level of miR-182-5p was up-regulated in high Chronicity Index patients while the level of Foxo1 was suppressed. The progression of LN in mice was associated with the increased level of miR-182-5p and the decreased level of Foxo1. The inhibition of miR-182-5p ameliorated renal structure and function impairments associated with LN, along with the increased expression of Foxo1. The administration of TGF-β1 in vitro increased the expression of miR-182-5p in renal cells in an overall dose-dependent manner. The current study demonstrated that the expression of miR-182-5p was increased in LN patients, contributing to the suppression of Foxo1 and development of LN.

Lupus glomerulonephritis in 788 Chinese children: a multi-centre clinical and histopathological analysis based on 549 renal biopsies

BACKGROUND

System lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe multisystem autoimmune disease.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical and pathological features, treatment, and renal outcome in children under 18 years with lupus nephritis (LN).

METHODS

The study was undertaken by a questionnaire completed in 26 Grade 3A hospitals' paediatric renal units in China. The study comprised 788 children (619 girls, 169 boys) diagnosed with SLE by the American College of Rheumatology criteria (1997) during 2005-2010. Results of renal biopsies were classified according to the guidelines of The International Association of Nephrology and the Renal Pathology Society (2003). Guidelines by the Chinese Society of Paediatric Nephrology were applied for the diagnosis and treatment (for trial implementation) in 2010 to determine inclusion. The data included the prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI), SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), renal histopathology and the induction of therapy mode.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) age of onset of SLE was 10.9 (2.90) years (range 1-18) and at diagnosis was 11.3 (2.9) years. The mean (SD) SLEDAI score was 13.5 (5.53). The clinical classification was as follows: about 36 (4.6%) patients had isolated haematuria, 99 (12.6%) isolated proteinuria, 60 (7.6%) isolated haematuria and proteinuria, 157 (19.9%) acute glomerulonephritis, 392 (49.7%) nephrotic syndrome, 20 (2.5%) rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, 15 (1.9%) chronic nephritis, 2 (0.3%) tubule-interstitial damage and 7 (0.9%) subclinical LN. A total of 549 children (69.7%) underwent renal biopsy. The most frequent renal histopathological findings of LN were Class IV, followed by Class II and Class V + IV. There were no significant differences between the age groups in either renal pathological types or prognosis. In 242 (30.7%) patients, LN was complicated by AKI. Those with AKI had an older mean (SD) age at onset than the non-AKI patients [11.5 (2.8) years vs 10.7 (2.9) years, respectively, p < 0.0001] and a higher SLEDAI score [14.3 (5.8) vs 13.1 (5.4), respectively, p = 0.003]. In the induction phase, cyclophosphamide (CTX) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) were equally effective in the patients with the same pathological type. Follow-up records were only available for 482 (61.2%) patients, with a mean (SD) follow-up time of 21.5 (18.4) months. Six of the 35 patients who deteriorated required dialysis and seven died.

CONCLUSION

In LN, AKI is a risk factor for poor outcome. Owing to different times of onset and remission, the pathological types of LN cannot be estimated by clinical manifestation alone, and therefore renal biopsy should be undertaken in all LN children with AKI. In the induction phase, there was no significant difference in efficacy between CTX and MMF. Follow-up of children with LN in China needs to be improved.

Development and validation of a prediction score system in lupus nephritis

The risk assessment for developing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) remains unclear in patients with lupus nephritis (LN). The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a prediction rule for estimating the individual risk of ESRD in patients with LN using clinical and pathological data.A total of 599 patients with LN diagnosed by renal biopsy between June 2009 and June 2014 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University were retrospectively followed. Patients were randomly divided into derivation cohort (n = 379) and validation cohort (n = 220). The SLEDAI score was used to evaluate the clinical disease activity. Pathological lesions according to the International Society of Nephrology and the Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) systems were meticulously evaluated. The risk factors for developing ESRD were evaluated using a Cox proportional hazard model with a stepwise backward elimination method.In the derivation cohort, 100 patients (26.5%) developed ESRD during the average 46.0 ± 21.1 months' follow-up. The final prediction model included cellular crescents, active index >20, glomerular sclerosis, fibrous crescents, interstitial fibrosis, chronic index >5, nephrotic syndrome, and eGFR <45 mL/min as independent risk factors for developing ESRD. To create a prediction rule, the score for each variable was weighted by the regression coefficients calculated using the relevant Cox model. The prediction rule was validated in the validation cohort. During the follow-up period, 45 patients (21.5%) in validation cohort progressed to ESRD.This study developed and validated a new prediction rule using clinical measures and pathological changes for developing ESRD in patients with LN.

Treatment and clinicopathological characteristics of lupus nephritis with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positivity: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the clinical features, pathological presentations, treatments and outcomes of lupus nephritis (LN) with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity.

DESIGN

A case-control study.

METHODS

Patients (n=49) were retrospectively included from Jinling Hospital in China if presenting with biopsy-proven ANCA-positive LN between 1985 and 2008. Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes were analysed and compared with those of a control group (n=1279). We further compared treatment responses and outcomes of ANCA-positive LN patients based on the treatment issued.

RESULTS

The study included 40 women and 9 men (median age 33 years at biopsy): 38 with myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA, 7 with proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA and 4 with double positivity. ANCA-positive LN patients exhibited higher haematuria, serum creatinine levels and systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index scores. On pathological evaluation, class IV LN was predominant, accounting for 61.22% of cases. Light microscopy revealed significantly higher activity index and chronicity index scores, including cellular crescents, interstitial inflammation, tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. ANCA-positive LN patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil as induction therapy had a higher remission rate and better renal outcomes than those receiving cyclophosphamide. During follow-up, end-stage renal disease developed in seven (14.29%) ANCA-positive LN patients, all of them were MPO-ANCA positive.

CONCLUSIONS

The characteristics of ANCA-positive LN were massive haematuria and advanced renal insufficiency. We observed a higher remission rate and better prognoses when using mycophenolate mofetil than when using cyclophosphamide as induction therapy.

Serum Cytokines Th1, Th2, and Th17 Expression Profiling in Active Lupus Nephritis-IV: From a Southern Chinese Han Population

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by aberrant T cell immune response. Diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis (LN-IV) is the most common, severe, and active form of lupus nephritis. In this study, we investigated the production of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines in prediction of active form of LN-IV. ProcartaPlex multiplex immunoassays panels were used for detection of serum Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines profiling. Th1 and Th17 cytokines (IL-18, IFN-γ, IL-12p70, IL-6, and IL-17A) were considerably expressed in the serum of lupus nephritis IV patients in comparison to the healthy control. However, only IL18 and IL6 were higher in class IV versus class III lupus nephritis. Importantly, the ratios of Th1/Th2 (IL-18/IL-4) and Th17/Th2 (IL-17A/IL-4) were significantly elevated in LN-IV when compared with LN-III, LN-V, and healthy controls. Consistently, the serum cytokines IL-18, IL-17A, and IFN-γ were markedly expressed in LN-IV patient glomeruli and interstitial tissue compared to other classes of LN by IHC. ROC further suggests that IL-18 was a potential marker for LN-IV. The data from our study suggests that the early detection and quantification of these cytokines may help in prediction of active form of LN-IV.

Study of glomerulonephritis evolution in Castilla-La Mancha (GLOMANCHA) between 1994 and 2008

BACKGROUND

Renal biopsy registries allow histopathological data to be collected to improve knowledge of different pathologies and their natural history.

AIM

To analyse the data of the Castilla La Mancha Glomerulonephritis Registry (GLOMANCHA) and the evolution of the different biopsy-proven pathologies between 1994 and 2008.

METHODS

The 6 most common biopsy-proven pathologies were collected during the 14 years of the study (941 biopsies) in the 5 participant centres of the autonomous community. In 2008, we assessed patient renal survival and mortality and we evaluated associated factors to each situation for each pathology.

RESULTS

Of the 941 biopsies, 59% belonged to men, with a mean age of 48±18 years. At the time of the biopsy, the median glomerular filtration rate was 50.3 (25.5-76.3) ml/min/1,73 m(2) and median proteinuria was 3.4 (1.5-6.4) grams per day. The most common pathology were lupus nephropathy, followed by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and membranous nephropathy. Lupus nephropathy and minimal change disease achieved the best renal prognosis during follow-up (mean 7.3±4.8 years). Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis type 3 and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis had the worst renal prognosis. In addition, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis type 3 presented the worst vital prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

In GLOMANCHA, we demonstrate the poor prognosis of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis type 3, in contrast to minimal change disease or lupus nephropathy. Renal function is an independent predictor of renal survival and mortality in this study.