LUPUS NEPHRITIS AT THE UNIVERSITY-HOSPITAL OF THE WEST-INDIES, KINGSTON, JAMAICA - A 10-YEAR EXPERIENCE

The case records of 75 patients who had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and renal involvement on renal histology were reviewed. There were 70 females and 5 males, with a ratio of 14:1. The majority of the patients were in their second and third decades of life. SLE nephritis was distinctly uncommon in patients below 10 years of age and above 50 years of age. In nearly 80% of the patients, SLE nephritis was diagnosed within the year prior to presentation. The most common presenting clinical features were arthritis in 78% and a rash in 48% The two most common renal features were proteinuria in 60% and renal failure in 55% Of these patients, 20% 12% 48% and 17% fell into Class II (mesangial GN), Class III (focal GN), Class W (diffuse GN), and Class V (membranous GN), respectively, when the renal histological abnormalities were categorized according to the World Health Organization classification. The remaining 3% of patients had sclerosis and as a result were unclassifiable. The two major clinical manifestations in the Class IV patients were an acute nephritis syndrome in 83% and renal failure in 61% The nephrotic syndrome was seen in 62% of Class V (membranous GN) cases. There was 100% survival in Classes II (mesangial GN) and V (membranous GN), and 62% percent in Classes III (focal GN) and TV (diffuse GN) combined. © 1990 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.