Lupus Nephritis

Lupus Nephritis

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
E-mail: lupusInfo@aol.com
Home page: www.lupus.org/

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

Additional Information on Lupus Nephritis

The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse collects resource information on kidney and urologic diseases for the Combined Health Information Database (CHID). CHID is a database produced by health-related agencies of the Federal Government. This database provides titles, abstracts, and availability information for health information and health education resources.

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.

Or, if you wish to perform your own search of the database, you may access the CHID Online web site and search CHID yourself.

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse

3 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3580
E-mail: National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse

The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1987, the clearinghouse provides information about diseases of the kidneys and urologic system to people with kidney and urologic disorders and to their families, health care professionals, and the public. NKUDIC answers inquiries; develops, reviews, and distributes publications; and works closely with professional and patient organizations and Government agencies to coordinate resources about kidney and urologic diseases.

Publications produced by the clearinghouse are carefully reviewed for scientific accuracy, content, and readability.

This e-text is not copyrighted. The clearinghouse encourages users of this e-pub to duplicate and distribute as many copies as desired.

NIH Publication No. 99-4622