Rol de la biopsia renal en el tratamiento de la nefritis lúpica / Renal biopsy role in the lupus nephritis treatment

ABSTRACT

Renal compromise in systemic lupus erythematosus is common and has poor prognosis. The presence of glomerular hematuria, proteinuria and/or decrease of glomerular filtration rate, with or withouth hypertension, reflect lupus nephritis and recommend kidney biopsy. The histological classifications from both the World Health Organization and the International Society of Nephrology help to establish a precise diagnosis, to segment treatment and estimate renal survival better than using clinical markers alone. In addition to adequate immunosuppressive therapy, it is necesary to prescribe drugs that protect from progressive impairment of renal function secondary to kidney sequels brought on by lupus nephritis and hypertension.