[Lupus glomerulonephritis. Study of 21 cases: clinico-morphological correlations]

The authors report their experience, based on 21 cases, on lupus glomerulonephritis with clinic-morphological correlation and follow-up. They classified renal biopsies utilizing WHO classification and applying a numerical score system proposed by Austin. This system considers the morphological characters referable to duration (chronicity index: C.I.) and activity (activity index: A.I.) of renal disease. Histological data have been connected with clinical evolution of renal disease. Patients have been followed for periods varying from 8 months to 8 years. From data obtained we can see that there is not a constant relation between a high chronicity index or activity index and unfavorable evolution of disease. Besides the authors report a revision of literature considering the possibility of connection between morphological data and the prognosis of lupus glomerulonephritis. They refer contrasting judgements about this.