The Rheumatologist reports on a new study that found that the incidence of lupus nephritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has decreased over the past 50 years. This retrospective study included 499 patients diagnosed with lupus nephritis between 1970-2016.

Jane E. Salmon, MD, rheumatologist at HSS, notes that a take home message of the study is that "better and more consistent use of immunosuppressive therapy seems to decrease end-stage renal disease".

"At Hospital for Special Surgery, we have always been concerned when we see hypertension, increased creatinine and lack of consistent baseline immunosuppression in lupus nephritis patients. Further confirmation that these features are associated with a worse prognosis for renal disease underscores our need to continue to aggressively monitor and treat them," Dr. Salmon says.

Read the full article at The-Rheumatologist.com.