Nephritis - lupus; Lupus glomerular disease

Symptoms of lupus nephritis include:

• Blood in the urine
• Foamy appearance to urine
• High blood pressure
• Swelling of any area of the body

For general lupus symptoms, see the article on SLE.

A physical exam shows signs of decreased kidney functioning with edema. Blood pressure may be high. Abnormal sounds may be heard when the doctor listens to the heart and lungs, indicating fluid overload.

Tests that may be done include:

• ANA titer
• BUN and creatinine
• Lupus test
• Urinalysis
• Urine immunoglobulin light chain

A kidney biopsy is not used to diagnose lupus nephritis, but to determine what treatment is appropriate.

This disease may also affect the results of the following tests:

• Complement component 3
• Complement
• Syphilis test

Images

Male urinary system

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Lupus nephritis Overview

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Lupus nephritis Treatment

Review Date: 08/12/2009
Reviewed By: Parul Patel, MD, Private Practice specializing in Nephrology and Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)