Contrary to previous studies, lupus patients who receive kidney transplants rarely develop lupus nephritis in their new allograft, according to a study presented at ASN's Renal Week conference.

Rituximab is an effective treatment for lupus nephritis that enables reductions in maintenance steroids, data show.

Prior history of treatment with pulse methylprednisolone may increase the risk of fatal infection in pediatric lupus nephritis (LN) patients treated with IV cyclophosphamide (IVCY), researchers reported.

Pregnant patients with active lupus nephritis have a higher incidence of maternal and fetal complications compared with patients who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without renal involvement, researchers reported in Lupus (2009;18:342-347).

SAN FRANCISCO—Preventing renal damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be critical to lowering their mortality rate, according to a new report.

SAN FRANCISCO—Lupus nephritis (LN) in adolescents responds similarly to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and IV cyclophosphamide, according to data reported at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual meeting here.

SAN FRANCISCO—Patients with lupus nephritis (LN) who experience renal flares incur nearly double the direct medical costs over one year compared with those who not have flares, data suggest.

SAN FRANCISCO—The incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to lupus nephritis (LN) rose significantly in the United States from 1995 to 2004, according to new study data presented here at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting. The incidence was significantly higher among African Americans and women.

SAN FRANCISCO—Lupus nephritis recurrence (LNR) in renal transplant recipients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) does not have an adverse impact on allograft or patient survival rates, according to the largest analysis of its kind to be reported.

SAN FRANCISCO—Hydroxychloroquine, a low-risk and inexpensive generic drug originally used to treat malaria, may help prevent kidney damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), according to new study findings presented here at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual scientific meeting.