September 20, 2018

Significantly more people are surviving end-stage renal (kidney) disease caused by lupus nephritis according to a long-term analysis published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

The analysis of the national registry of 20,974 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) during the years 1995 through  2014 found that mortality rates significantly declined.  In addition, among these patients, deaths due to heart disease decreased by 44% and infections by 63%. This reduction was seen among among white, African American, and Hispanic patients.

Study investigators concluded that “collectively, these trends provide an important benchmark of improving care in this high‐risk population.”

The study was supported by funding from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the Rheumatology Research Foundation.