N Nephrotic syndrome as an initial clinical manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology characterized by multi-systemic affectation. Glomerulonephritis is a frequent and important complication of SLE and the presence and extent of kidney involvement greatly influences the long term outcome of this disease. The clinical presentation and course of SLE are extremely variable. Variability is also a feature of renal involvement in SLE. Renal involvement may occur in 25-50% of patients during the early course of their disease and may affect 60-80% of patients followed long term^{1, 2}.

  Thus the evaluation, treatment and prognosis for each patient need to be individualized. This case highlights the fact that renal involvement or lupus nephritis (LN) can be a first presentation in SLE patients and a high index of suspicion is needed in evaluating patients with clinical diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome as seen in this 54-years old female Nigerian.