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List of All Topics
Nephritis
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Introduction
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment
Possible Complications
Prevention
Causes
Interstitial nephritis may be temporary (acute) or it may be chronic and get worse over time.
The following can cause interstitial nephritis:
- Allergic reaction to a drug (acute interstitial allergic nephritis)
- Analgesic nephropathy
- Side effect of certain antibiotics (penicillin, ampicillin, methicillin, sulfonamide medications, and others)
- Side effect of medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), furosemide, and thiazide diuretics
The acute form of interstitial nephritis is common. It is most often caused by side effects of certain drugs. This disorder may be more severe and more likely to lead to chronic or permanent kidney damage in elderly people.
Lupus nephritis occurs when antibodies (antinuclear antibody and others) and complement build up in the kidneys, causing inflammation. It often causes nephrotic syndrome (excessive protein excretion) and may progress rapidly to renal failure. Nitrogen waste products build up in the bloodstream.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) causes various disorders of the internal structures of the kidney, including interstitial nephritis and membranous GN. Lupus nephritis affects approximately 3 out of 10,000 people. In children with SLE, about half will have some form or degree of kidney involvement.
SLE is most common in women 20-40 years old. For more information, see the general article on systemic lupus erythematosus.
Page TopSymptoms
Interstitial nephritis can cause mild to severe kidney problems, including acute kidney failure. In about half of cases, people will have decreased urine output and other signs of acute kidney failure.
Symptoms of this condition include:
- Blood in the urine
- Fever
- Increased or decreased urine output
- Mental status changes (drowsiness, confusion, coma)
- Nausea, vomiting
- Rash (sometimes)
- Swelling of the body, any area
- Weight gain (from retaining fluid)
- A clot that breaks loose and moves through the bloodstream to the brain is called a cerebral embolism.
Symptoms of lupus nephritis include:
- Blood in the urine
- Foamy appearance to urine
- High blood pressure
- Swelling of any area of the body
Treatment
Treatment focuses on the cause of the problem. Avoiding medications that lead to this condition may relieve the symptoms quickly.
Limiting salt (sodium) and fluid in the diet can control swelling and high blood pressure. Also limiting protein can help control the buildup of waste products in the blood (azotemia) that can lead to acute kidney failure.
If dialysis is necessary, it usually is required for only a short time.
Corticosteroids or anti-inflammatory medications can help in some cases.
Lupus glomerular disease Treatment
The goal of treatment is to improve of kidney function. Medicines may include corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications.
Dialysis may be needed to control symptoms of kidney failure. A kidney transplant may be recommended. (People with active lupus should not have a transplant.)
Some cases of lupus nephritis may progress to chronic kidney failure.
Although lupus nephritis may return in a transplanted kidney, it rarely leads to end stage kidney disease.
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Possible Complications
Metabolic acidosis can occur because the kidneys aren't able to remove enough acid. The disorder can lead to acute or chronic kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease.
In lupus nephritis
- Acute renal failure
- Chronic renal failure
- End-stage renal disease
- Nephrotic syndrome
Prevention
In many cases, the disorder can't be prevented. Avoiding or reducing your use of medications that can cause this condition can help reduce your risk.
There is no known prevention for lupus nephritis
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