Renal involvement in antiphospholipid syndrome.

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Rheumatology
• Immunology

Background:

• Renal involvement is a significant, yet underrecognized, complication in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).
• Kidney issues can manifest in both primary APS and systemic lupus erythematosus-associated APS.
• Understanding these renal manifestations is critical for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the spectrum of renal abnormalities associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).
• To discuss the diagnostic approaches for renal complications in APS.
• To outline current treatment strategies for renal involvement in APS.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical and laboratory features of renal involvement in APS.
• Analysis of pathological renal lesions, including glomerular and vascular abnormalities.
• Examination of diagnostic criteria and therapeutic options for APS-related kidney disease.

Main Results:

• Clinical features include hypertension, hematuria, acute renal failure, and progressive chronic renal insufficiency.
• Pathological findings encompass renal artery stenosis, venous thrombosis, glomerular lesions (APS nephropathy), and thrombotic microangiopathy.
• APS can lead to end-stage renal disease and allograft vascular thrombosis.

Conclusions:

• Renal involvement in APS presents with diverse clinical and pathological manifestations.
• Prompt diagnosis and comprehensive management are essential to mitigate kidney damage and improve outcomes in APS patients.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms and optimize treatments for APS nephropathy.