Authored by Aurinia Pharma U.S., Inc.
Once patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been diagnosed with lupus nephritis (LN), they may have already suffered irreparable kidney damage.1 Understanding the risks of LN and the actions to improve long-term kidney health is essential for better patient outcomes. When it comes to each untreated episode of LN, patients with SLE are losing more than time.2
Understanding the risks of LN
It is important to begin active surveillance for LN when patients are diagnosed with SLE. In fact, almost 35% of patients may have LN at the time of their SLE diagnosis.1 Even one LN episode can result in irreversible nephron loss.2 Further, ongoing episodes can lead to more severe kidney damage.2
Despite these risks, too few patients with suspected LN receive timely biopsies, which can heighten the risk of kidney failure and delay treatment.3,4 Slowing LN progression with early biopsy and prompt treatment is vital for your patients’ health.
Be proactive
Because time is imperative with LN, recent EULAR/ERA-EDTA guidelines have outlined more urgent recommendations for diagnosing and treating LN in patients with SLE.2,5,6 At the first sign of kidney involvement, patients should be referred for biopsy to avoid delays in treatment.6,7
The guidelines also recommend specific proteinuria treatment targets to achieve optimal results.6 Rapid reductions in proteinuria are associated with improved long-term patient outcomes.8 For your patients with SLE, be proactive with LN diagnosis and treatment.
Visit TimeIsNephrons.com [https://www.timeisnephrons.com?utm_source=NORM&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=losing_more_than_time] to learn more about the actions you can take to improve outcomes for your patients with LN.
At Aurinia Pharma U.S., Inc., our mission is to transform people’s lives by delivering therapeutics that change the course of autoimmune disease. Discover more about Aurinia at www.auriniapharma.com [link to https://www.auriniapharma.com].
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ERA-EDTA=European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association; EULAR=European League Against Rheumatism; GFR=glomerular filtration rate; LN=lupus nephritis; SLE=systemic lupus erythematosus.
References: 1. Izmirly PM, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2017;69(10):2006-2017. 2. Anders HJ, et al. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020;6(1):7. 3. Aggarwal I, et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020;72(7):888-896. 4. Faurschou M, et al. J Rheumatol. 2006;33(8):1563-1569. 5. Fanouriakis A, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2019;78(6):736-745. 6. Fanouriakis A, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2020;79(6):713-723. 7. Hahn BH, et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2012;64(6):797-808. 8. Tamirou F, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2016;75(3):526-531.
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