How dangerous is Lupus Nephritis?

　　Lupus nephritis is very dangerous. 40% of people with lupus will have it. A kidney biopsy is required to identify which of the World Health Organizaton (WHO) classes it is, because that determines the course of treatment. Left untreated, lupus nephritis can lead to kidney failure, dialysis, and the need for a tranpslant IF the patient qualifies. Typically, lupus nephritis is identified by protein or cellular casts in a routine urinalysis. It is NOT an infection. Lupus is NOT infectious. Lupus nephritis occurs when the autoimmune reactions cause problems in the glomerlui or little filters in the kidneys. The filters are supposed to catch protein and return it to the blood stream. In lupus nephritis, it allows the protein to spill into the urine.
　　Lupus nephritis is treated with immunosuppressive chemotherapies. The WHO class determines what the nephrologist and rheumatologist will try. Unfortunately, not all drugs work the same way on all lupus patients.
　　Cytoxan, in intravenous chemotherapy also used to treat breast cancer is sometimes used but in lower doses. Other patients will respond well to Cellcept, an anti rejection med that transplant patients take.
　　I have lupus nephritis and also had a kidney biopsy. I have also been on Cellcept since October of 2003. My kidney function is pretty near normal and althought my rheumatologist has declared me to be in remission, I will remain on a low dose for life along with plaquenil, and well be monitored every three months for life.

　　That's not a huge price to pay when you consider the alternative. I personally know two women with lupus nephritis in my city who died this year.