PUBLISHER: GlobalData | PRODUCT CODE: 1907777
PUBLISHER: GlobalData | PRODUCT CODE: 1907777
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common form of lupus. It is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells and organs, leading to inflammation and damage (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024). SLE is a chronic disease that can affect the skin, joints, blood, and organs such as the kidneys, lungs, and heart. There is currently no cure for SLE, but it can be treated. LN is one of the most serious complications of SLE and often develops within five years of when SLE symptoms first appear (Lupus Foundation of America, 2021).
The symptoms of SLE are joint pain and stiffness throughout the body, fatigue, rashes, and swollen glands, among others. The most common sign of SLE is a red, butterfly-shaped rash over the cheeks and nose that can appear after exposure to sunlight (Mayo Clinic, 2022). The exact cause of SLE is unknown, but scientists believe that certain factors, such as hormones, genetics, and environment, trigger lupus (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024; Mayo Clinic, 2022). Most SLE patients experience flares - when signs and symptoms get worse for a period and then improve or disappear for some time (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Lupus nephritis (LN) is the most serious complication of SLE. LN develops when lupus antibodies affect the kidneys, causing swelling, irritation, and possible organ damage. LN can damage the kidney's ability to remove waste from the blood and can lead to blood in urine, protein in the urine, high blood pressure, or kidney failure (Mayo Clinic, 2025).