We evaluated the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings including renal biopsies and treatments in 30 cases of lupus nephritis who were seen between jan., 1981 to Dec., 1991 in Ewha Womans University Hospital.
The results were as follows:
1) Among 72 patients. 11 cases were men and 61 were women(M:F=1:5.5). The onset of disease were developed between 2nd and 3rd decades in 76% of cases. Their median age was 26.9 years.
2) The study of ARA criteria for SLE showed that the incidence of the renal disease was 81.8%, anemia 50% and antinuclear antibody(ANA) 77.3%.
3) At the time of the diagnosis. among 30 patients with lupus nephritis. 25% of patients had serum creatinine over 1.2mg/dl and 25% had proteiuria over 3.5g/day.
4) According to the WHO classification. 12 patients(66%) belonged to class IV and 2 patients(11.1 %) to class III. Among patients classified as class IV. the 33% showed nephrotic syndrome and 66.7% had serum creatinine over 1.2mg/dl.
5) At the time of the diagnosis, among 30 patients with lupus nephritis. the incidence of anti-DNA antibody was 66.7%. decreased C3 titer was 73.3 % and decreased C4 titer was 76.7%.
6) Among 18 patients with oral prednisolone alone, the rate of complete remission was 11.1% and deterioration including death was 33.3%. Among 7 patients with prednisolone plus cyclophophamide. the rate of complete remission was 14.3% and deterioration including death was 28.8%.
7) Among 30 patients with lupus nephritis. 6 patients died. Most common cause of death was cardiovascular disease with 3 cases, followed by infection, 2 cases and renal failure, 1 case.
