Severity Of Kidney Disease In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

OBJECTIVES: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is autoimmune disease and sometime affects kidney function. The objective of this study is to assess the severity of chronic kidney disease in SLE over time. METHODS: In Japan, SLE has been one of designated diseases for the Specified Disease Treatment Research Programme (transferred to Intractable Disease Health Care in 2015) that provides co-payment reduction or exemption according to disease severity and patients' income levels. To be eligible for the programme, a doctor's statement should be submitted. Registration data for the programme with indication for SLE were extracted from fiscal years 2004 to 2008. Extracted data were analysed and compared in terms of patients' age, gender, CKD stages and treatment history RESULTS: 140,286 records were extracted. Total numbers of patients were 56,517 and the male/female ratio was 1:8.1.7096 patients newly applied for the programme, which implies new-onset SLE. 6818 records (5%) showed symptom of kidney disease. 6056 cases fell in GFR category G1 (88%), 339 cases fell in G2 (5%), 133 cases are fell in G3a (2%), 104 cases fell in G3b (2%), 82 cases fell in G4 (1%) and 104 cases fell in G5 (2%). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of kidney disease among patients with SLE in Japan is 5%. Considering that GFR category Gl makes up most of the patients with kidney disease, prevention of aggravation is important.