Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential clinical predictors associated with the recovery of renal function in recent-onset uremia in patients with lupus nephritis. METHODS: Factors possibly influencing the recovery of renal function in patients with lupus nephritis were examined in a 6 month retrospective cohort study. Records of a sample of 198 consecutive inpatients of recently diagnosed renal failure with lupus nephritis admitted to the University Hospital between 1991 and 2001 were examined. Complete records to assess followup were available for 162 (81.8%). The main outcome factor was recovery of renal function, which was defined as discontinuation of dialysis and over 50% reduction of serum creatinine 3 months after discontinuation of dialysis. Collection of clinical and laboratory data and outcome variables was conducted by 2 separate, blinded groups of clinical specialists with 2 structured abstracting forms. RESULTS: After 6 months of followup, 96 patients (59.3%) recovered their renal function and 18 (11.1%) had died. After adjustment with Cox proportional hazards models, sex, renal dysfunction duration, renal size, anemia, level of serum phosphate, and intravenous cyclophosphamide (i.v. CYC) therapy were found to be significantly associated with recovery of renal function. There was significant association between i.v. CYC therapy and infections. However, in logistic regression analysis, neither CYC therapy nor infections were significantly associated with mortality, and only severe edema and lower serum albumin level were associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Male sex, postponing hospital admission after onset of renal failure, atrophic renal size, and high concentrations of serum phosphate were all predictors of poor recovery of renal function. i.v. CYC therapy at higher dose had a protective effect on the recovery of renal function.
