UNLABELLED: This study sought to assess the prevalence of lupus nephropathy and to determine its clinical, histological, therapeutic and outcome profiles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study examined records covering a 10-year period from 1999 to 2009 at the nephrology department of the Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital Center. RESULTS: The records showed 43 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 72% had lupus nephritis. The patients' mean age was 32.9 years; 40 were women and 3 men, for a sex ratio of 0.075. The lupus nephritis led to discovery of SLE in 27.9%. The mean proteinuria concentration was 2.01 g/dL. Seventeen patients had impaired renal function, and 26 had renal biopsies. It found class II nephritis in 2 patients, class IV in 10, and class V in 12. In addition, fifteen patients received combined corticosteroid + immunosuppressant treatment. Four patients died during the study period, one from SLE activity, two from complications of renal failure, and the fourth from sepsis. CONCLUSION: A larger study would be useful to assess more acurately the prevalence of various classes and severity of lupus nephropathy among blacks living in sub-Saharan Africa.
UNLABELLED: This study sought to assess the prevalence of lupus nephropathy and to determine its clinical, histological, therapeutic and outcome profiles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study examined records covering a 10-year period from 1999 to 2009 at the nephrology department of the Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital Center. RESULTS: The records showed 43 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 72% had lupus nephritis. The patients' mean age was 32.9 years; 40 were women and 3 men, for a sex ratio of 0.075. The lupus nephritis led to discovery of SLE in 27.9%. The mean proteinuria concentration was 2.01 g/dL. Seventeen patients had impaired renal function, and 26 had renal biopsies. It found class II nephritis in 2 patients, class IV in 10, and class V in 12. In addition, fifteen patients received combined corticosteroid + immunosuppressant treatment. Four patients died during the study period, one from SLE activity, two from complications of renal failure, and the fourth from sepsis. CONCLUSION: A larger study would be useful to assess more acurately the prevalence of various classes and severity of lupus nephropathy among blacks living in sub-Saharan Africa.