P0409characteristics and Outcome of One Hundred Egyptian Patients of Lupus Nephritis: A Single Tertiary Care Center Study

Abstract

Background and Aims Renal biopsy is the “gold standard” for diagnosis of lupus nephritis (LN). It is necessary for classification and is the basis for treatment strategy decisions. This study was carried out in order to analyse the results of renal biopsy in LN patients, its effect on treatment and predictors for remission in an Egyptian cohort. Method The results of renal biopsies of LN patients undergoing regular follow up in the outpatient clinic of Mansoura Nephrology and Dialysis Unit (MNDU), Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt in the period between October 2017 and September 2019 were reviewed. The histopathological data were analyzed and correlated to the clinical data of the study group. Results A total of 100 LN patients with documented renal biopsy were enrolled in this study. The median age of the patients was 29 years. Most of the patients were females (n=89). Serum creatinine at presentation ranged from 0.57 to 13.5 mg/dl (median 1.3 mg/dl). Class IV (diffuse proliferative) LN was the most frequently encountered class, followed by Classes III, V, II and VI respectively, while class I was detected in only one patient. In proliferative classes (III and IV), the total score of activity indices, ranged from 0 to 16 (minimum–maximum). Mesangial hypercellularity was the most frequent encountered active lesions. Total score of chronicity indices ranged from 0 to 10 (minimum-maximum). Interstitial fibrosis was the most frequent chronicity index. Remission was achieved in 73 patients. Patients who achieved remission had lower serum creatinine and lower pathological chronicity score. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, serum creatinine at presentation was the strongest predictor for renal remission in this cohort and chronicity index was the strongest predictor in proliferative classes (III and IV). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was done to identify the cutoff point of serum creatinine which can indicate the probability of renal recovery in proliferative and non-proliferative classes (n=100) and in proliferative classes only (n=73). A serum creatinine value of 1.65 mg/dl or less identifies the probability of renal recovery with 76% sensitivity and 71% specificity in proliferative and non-proliferative classes . A chronicity index value of 6 or less identifies the probability of renal recovery with 93% sensitivity and 58% specificity. Conclusion Renal biopsy is a must in LN to guide treatment and prognosis. In this Egyptian cohort, serum creatinine at presentation and pathological chronicity index score are the strongest predictors of renal response in LN patients.