Figueroa-Parra et al. set out to evaluate the effect of glucocorticoid regimens on renal response, infections and mortality rates among patients with lupus nephritis (LN). The researchers analyzed the control arms of randomized clinical trials and found a higher exposure to glucocorticoids during the initial treatment of LN was associated with better renal outcomes, at the cost of increased infections and mortality.
FDA Warning: Avoid Use of NSAIDs after Week 20 of Pregnancy
The FDA is recommending pregnant women avoid using NSAIDs as early as week 20 of pregnancy due to the risk of kidney problems in a developing fetus.
Antiplatelet Therapy May Protect Renal Function in Some Lupus Patients
New research suggests that antiplatelet therapy may improve the estimated glomerular filtration rate in lupus anticoagulant-positive patients with lupus nephritis. Researchers found these patients had a higher eGFR level after three years than lupus anticoagulant-positive patients who did not receive antiplatelet therapy…
Canakinumab Treatment Effective for Familial Mediterranean Fever
Canakinumab may be a useful first-line treatment for renal transplant recipients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), according to recent research. Immunosuppressive drugs can interact with colchicine, the standard first-line treatment for FMF, and increase the incidence of side effects, such as diarrhea and myopathy…
Tips for Treating Lupus-Related Renal Disease, Pain, Alopecia
SAN DIEGO—Rheumatologists who treat lupus patients gleaned tips on diagnosis and management of renal disease, painful neuropathies and alopecia at a “Curbside Consults” session held Nov. 6 at the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in San Diego. Membranous Lupus Nephritis Patients with refractory membranous lupus nephritis (MLN), or Class V lupus nephritis, face “significant morbidity, most of…
Rheumatology Case Report: TINU Syndrome with Concomitant Synovitis
Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome, also known as Dobrin syndrome, is a rare oculo-renal inflammatory disease. It was first described in 1975 by American physician Robert Dobrin, MD.1 It manifests as acute interstitial nephritis and bilateral uveitis. In addition, patients often experience nonspecific systemic findings, such as fever, weight loss, malaise, myalgia and arthralgia. TINU…
Rheumatoid Arthritis & Autoimmune Glomerulonephritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is rarely associated with renal manifestations, but secondary amyloidosis due to chronic inflammation is reported to be the etiology of renal dysfunction in many cases of RA.1,2 The discovery of biologic therapy, with TNF-alpha inhibitors in particular, made a huge difference in the disease course and prognosis of RA patients. However, TNF-alpha…
Persistent Symptomatic Hypocalcemia Due to Denosumab: A Case Review
Patients with osteoporosis and impaired renal function are at risk
How to Manage Pain in Patients with Renal Insufficiency or End-Stage Renal Disease on Dialysis
Narcotic and non-narcotic pain regimens can be used