Lupus cystitis and repercussions of delayed diagnosis

We describe a case of a young female with lupus that complained about suprapubic pain, dysuria, fever and vomits, symptoms first interpreted as pyelonephritis, despite negative cultures and imaging studies showing hydroureteronephrosis with inflammatory changes. When she developed malar rash, anasarca and nephrotic syndrome, the diagnosis of lupus cystitis with stage IV nephropathy was made, and she started immunosuppressive induction treatment with three pulses of corticosteroids followed by oral prednisolone (60 mg/d) and mycophenolate (1.5 g/d). One month later she was admitted again with blood exams compatible with thrombotic microangiopathy, requiring aggressive immunosuppression and plasma exchange. After overcoming multiple complications, the patient gradually improved, and was discharged with close surveillance. This case poses the question: if the urogenital involvement had been recognized and treated in time, would it prevent the onset of lupus nephritis and other complications?