Commen Introduction of Lupus Nephritis

Lupus Nephritis means there is damage in kidney due to SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) which is a kind of immune system disease and can involve to all body system. Not all SLE patients will have symptoms of kidney disease, but nearly all SLE patients will have pathological damage in kidney if renal biopsy was done. However, if patients begin to have symptoms related to kidney damage, it means the kidney damage has progressed into a further stage.
Clinically, Lupus Nephritic is one of the most common secondary kidney diseases, especially for female patients. Due to the primary cause, SLE, the symptoms of Lupus Nephritis also involve the whole body system, such as skin rash, joint pain, proteinuria, edema, etc.
Skin problem: more than 80% patients will have skin problem, such as erythema, rash, etc, mainly in face, neck as well as arms and legs. A few patients may also have bleb or bloody vesicle. Besides, about one third patients are too sensitive to light and their face or skin will become red or even have skin rash after exposed under sunshine.
Pain in joints and muscle: more than 90% patients will have swelling and pain on joints, which is also one of the first symptoms. Figure joints are most commonly to be involved. Besides, knee, feet, ankle as well as wrist can also be related. A tiny part of patients may even have joint deformity. Besides, muscle soreness and fatigue are also common symptoms.
Gastrointestinal discomforts: some patients may feel uncomfortable on their stomach and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage as well as hemafecia and ascetic fluid which is caused by vasculitis of gastrointestinal tract always happens.
Pathological damage of nerve system: about 20% Lupus Nephritis patients will have problems on nerve system which means the disease has already progress further and the illness condition is more severe. Excitement, abnormal behavior, depression as well as illusion or mental disorder may occur.
Heart problem: nearly 10% to 50% patients will have heart problem which is caused by both the disease and long-term medication of glucocorticoid. Some patients may even die from Coronary Artery Obstruction due to this disease.
Symptoms related to kidney: Nearly 100% SLE patients have pathological damage in kidney through biopsy, but not all patients will have related symptoms of kidney damage. About 50% patients will have related clinical symptoms of kidney disease, such as proteinuria, hematuria, cylindruia, leucocyturia, swelling and high blood pressure as well as increasing creatinine and urea, etc.
Besides, the disease can also affect liver function, lung function as well as blood system. Due to the primary disease, Lupus Nephritis patients always have the symptoms that SLE patients also have, but symptoms related to kidney damage are very important indication for SLE patients to have a high awareness on their kidney condition. An early detection is very important for Lupus Nephritis patients to live a higher quality life.