Today at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Meeting, Convergence 2024, the ACR released a summary of a new guideline for the screening, treatment and management of lupus nephritis (lupus-related kidney disease).The guideline offers evidence-based, expert recommendations for adults and children to help ensure you receive the most effective and current care.

The summary guideline focuses on preserving kidney function and minimizing life-threatening outcomes from lupus nephritis (LN), while ensuring collaborative care and shared decision making with patients and also minimizing medication-related toxicities. The guideline summary strongly recommends monitoring for protein in the urine (proteinuria) every six to 12 months or at a time of clinical flare for people with lupus without lupus nephritis, every three months for people with lupus nephritis who have not achieved complete renal response, and every three to six months for those with sustained complete renal response. The guideline further recommends performing kidney biopsy in people with SLE who have high levels of protein in the urine and/or impaired kidney function that is not otherwise explained.

Additionally, the guideline addresses treatment recommendations, including the use of triple therapy. This is also the first time ACR has issued pediatric LN guidelines. Children with lupus more commonly have kidney involvement, and the earlier onset is associated with increased damage.

The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is proud to support the development of this guideline by providing valuable perspectives from people living with lupus who are enrolled in the Foundation’s Research Accelerated by You (RAY®) registry.  

This announcement marks an important first step. The full guideline is expected to be released in Spring/Summer 2025, and to be updated on a yearly basis. The LFA is committed to keeping you updated along the way. As more details become available, we’ll provide you with tools and resources to better understand lupus nephritis and the role this guideline can play in your care.

We invite you to learn more about ACR’s new guideline for the screening, treatment and management of lupus nephritis and to visit our lupus nephritis information center to learn more about how lupus can impact the kidneys. And check out the below video from LFA Medical-Scientific Advisory Council member and team member that helped develop the new guideline, Dr. Brad Rovin.