Dialysis and Transplantation in End-Stage Lupus Nephritis

Abstract

Physicians who treat patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have long been aware that in those who reach a stage of advanced azotemia, remission of the nonrenal features of the illness and improvement in the serologic abnormalities frequently occur. Antinative DNA titers become negative, complement levels rise to normal, and antinuclear-antibody titers decrease.¹ In this issue of the Journal Coplon et al. report that only 3 of their 28 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and end-stage renal disease had evidence of continuing lupus activity and even then only in the form of mild arthralgia.When placed on maintenance hemodialysis, patients with . . .