40 Percent Of People With Lupus Have Kidney Involvement

Main Category: Lupus
Article Date: 09 Mar 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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Lupus is an unpredictable and potentially fatal autoimmune disease that affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans. The kidneys will be affected in approximately 40 percent of adults and as many as two-thirds of the children with lupus. March is National Kidney Month and the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is calling attention to this serious and often devastating complication of lupus.

The LFA will conduct a live chat on "Kidney Involvement and Lupus" through its website, http://www.lupus.org, on Wednesday, March 11, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time. The guest expert will be Dr. Brad Rovin, Director of Nephrology at the Ohio State University College of Medicine.

Lupus nephritis is the term used when lupus causes inflammation in the kidneys, making them unable to properly remove waste from the blood or control the amount of fluids in the body. Abnormal levels of waste can build up in the blood, and swelling (edema) can develop. If left untreated, nephritis can cause scarring and permanent damage to the kidneys and possibly end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Weight gain and puffiness in the feet, ankles, legs, hands, and/or eyelids are early symptoms of lupus kidney disease. The swelling often becomes worse throughout the day. The urine may also be foamy or frothy, or have a red color. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should immediately seek medical attention.

The LFA website has information about lupus kidney disease. Individuals may submit questions in advance or during the course of the chat. A transcript of the chat will be posted the following day.

Submit an advance question prior to March 11: http://www.lupus.org/newsite/pages/submit_question.html

Log into the live chat on March 11: http://www.lupus.org/newsite/pages/chat_login.html

About Lupus

Lupus is an unpredictable and potentially fatal autoimmune disease in which the immune system is unbalanced, causing inflammation and tissue damage to virtually any organ in the body. Its health effects include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, miscarriages, and organ failure.

About the LFA
The Lupus Foundation of America is the foremost national nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus and providing support, services and hope to all people affected by lupus. The LFA conducts programs of research, education, and advocacy.

Lupus Foundation of America