Demographic data, laboratory findings, renal histology, and initial treatment of SLE patients with aPLN by the time of renal biopsy. Values are mean ± SD, median (IQR), or n (%) unless otherwise specified.
| Variables | Non-RASI, n = 17 | RASI, n = 40 | p |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, yrs | 33.9 ± 12.4; 40 (22–48) | 34.6 ± 9.9; 33 (28–43) | 0.818 |
| Female | 13 (76) | 30 (75) | 0.827 |
| APS | 1 (6) | 6 (15) | 0.604 |
| eGFR, ml/min/1.73m2 | 79.6 ± 43.7; 102 (55–125) | 62.4 ± 28.8; 53 (35–85) | 0.150 |
| MAP, mmHg | 100 ± 19; 95 (85–98) | 111 ± 21; 113 (90–128) | 0.083 |
| Hypertension | 5 (29) | 30 (75) | 0.001 |
| Proteinuria level, g/d | 1.9 (0.6–2.8) | 5.2 (2.8–8.8) | 0.005 |
| Proteinuria, ≥ 3.5 g/d | 4 (24) | 26 (65) | 0.004 |
| ISN/RPS class III or IVa | 14 (82) | 31 (78) | 0.955 |
| Pathological features of aPLN | |||
| TMA | 2 (11) | 10 (25) | 0.443 |
| FIH | 16 (94) | 30 (75) | 0.191 |
| Fibrous/fibrocellular occlusions of arteries and arterioles | 5 (29) | 3 (8) | 0.078 |
| FCA | 5 (29) | 3 (8) | 0.078 |
| Tubular thyroidization | 5 (29) | 7 (18) | 0.513 |
| Treatment | |||
| Mean prednisone dose, mg/d | 53.1 ± 12.3 | 49.8 ± 16.9 | 0.538 |
| CYC | 14 (82) | 34 (85) | 0.883 |
| MMF | 4 (24) | 8 (20) | 0.955 |
| Calcineurin | 3 (18) | 7 (18) | 0.713 |
| Antiplatelet agents | 3 (18) | 12 (30) | 0.522 |
| Anticoagulants | 4 (24) | 6 (15) | 0.694 |
↵a ISN/RPS class III + V and IV + V of LN are included. Data in bold face are statistically significant. SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus; aPLN: antiphospholipid-associated nephropathy; IQR: interquartile range; RASI: renin-angiotensin system inhibitor; APS: antiphospholipid syndrome; eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate; MAP: mean arterial blood pressure; ISN/RPS: International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society; TMA: thrombotic microangiopathy; FIH: fibrous intimal hyperplasia; FCA: focal cortical atrophy; CYC: cyclophosphamide; MMF: mycophenolate mofetil; LN: lupus nephritis.