Lupus Nephritis Does Not Appear to Increase Risk of Serious Infection

Newly published research finds that lupus-related kidney disease, known as lupus nephritis (LN), is not independently associated with higher infection risk. The presence of LN was also not associated with increased all-cause hospital admission rates, longer hospital length-of-stay times or mortality rates.

Researchers assessed patient data from two healthcare facilities in Australia. They compared infection rates between 87 people with LN to a group of 86 people with lupus who did not have kidney disease. Although lupus activity was significantly higher in the LN group, there was no statistically significant difference in rates of serious infection. About nine percent of people with LN had at least one serious infection during the study period compared to about six percent in the non-LN group.

While LN alone did not increase serious infection risk, the data suggest that increased severity of LN may play a role. A higher baseline prednisone dose and the presence of co-occurring illnesses were each linked with higher risk of serious infection as well.

LN is a serious disease that affects an estimated 60% of people with lupus. However, these findings demonstrate how effectively managing the disease and staying in good health overall can help minimize LN’s impact on infection risk and disease outcomes. Learn about protecting yourself from infections and the dos and don’ts for living well with lupus.

Read the study