Disease Flare Activity in People with Lupus Nephritis on Dialysis

In general, lupus disease activity generally declines with the initiation of renal replacement therapy (RRT). RRT includes treatments such as dialysis, whereby a person’s blood is filtered with or without machines due to poor kidney function. People with lupus nephritis (LN) are at risk of experiencing disease flares during dialysis and a new study indicates disease flares can occur even during RRT.

Researchers analyzed the data of 121 people with LN at end-stage renal disease. More than a quarter (26.4%) experienced a lupus disease flare during dialysis. People typically experienced physical symptoms such as fever, malaise, headache, or exhibited blood-related outcomes, such as thrombocytopenia, low blood platelet levels. Approximately one-third of people required immunosuppressive drugs to manage their flare. People who experienced flares before RRT were more likely to develop disease activity under RRT.

Further investigation is needed to understand the connection between lupus disease activity and RRT. Physicians should closely work with LN patients after RRT initiation to detect possible flare activity, particularly if there’s prior history of high lupus disease. Learn more about lupus and the kidneys.

Read the study