Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 17, 2026

Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
09:43

Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice

Published on: June 8, 2022

3.4K

Obesity is an independent poor prognostic factor in lupus nephritis

Francy Cuervo1,2, Antoine Enfrein1, Hans-Joachim Anders3

  • 1Department of Rheumatology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales Inflammatoires et Systémiques, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium.

Lupus
|September 17, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m²) is a significant risk factor for chronic kidney disease G3 (CKD G3) in lupus nephritis (LN). Weight management is crucial for improving long-term kidney outcomes in LN patients.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Rheumatology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus.
  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression is a major concern in LN patients.
  • The role of obesity as a risk factor for CKD in LN requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if obesity is a risk factor for developing chronic kidney disease G3 (CKD G3) in patients with lupus nephritis (LN).
  • To compare the rates of complete renal remission, renal flare, and CKD G3 between obese and non-obese LN patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 132 biopsy-proven incident LN cases with quarterly data.
  • Comparison of outcomes between obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) and non-obese patients.
  • Analysis of time to CKD G3, time to renal flare, and long-term CKD progression risk.

Main Results:

  • Obesity was associated with a statistically shorter time to CKD G3 and renal flare.
  • Obesity significantly increased the long-term risk of CKD progression (HR = 2.72).
  • Multivariate analysis confirmed obesity as an independent risk factor for CKD G3 (p = .029).

Conclusions:

  • A body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher is an independent poor prognostic factor for CKD progression in LN.
  • Weight control should be emphasized in the management of LN patients to mitigate CKD risk.
  • Obesity independently contributes to worse kidney outcomes in lupus nephritis.

Keywords:
Lupus nephritischronic kidney diseaseflareobesity

More Related Videos

An Advanced Murine Model for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Association with Type 2 Diabetes10:17

An Advanced Murine Model for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Association with Type 2 Diabetes

Published on: April 26, 2019

7.4K

Related Concept Videos

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
225
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion01:20

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion

Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
169
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.1K
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction01:24

Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction

Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic kidney disorder defined by clinical findings such as severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. These symptoms result from damage to the glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering units, increasing their permeability to proteins.Definition and Meaning:Proteinuria, defined as the loss of more than 3.5 grams of protein per day in adults, is a crucial feature of nephrotic syndrome. This condition is often accompanied by edema, the accumulation of...
504
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution01:25

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution

Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
248
Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management01:26

Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management

IntroductionNephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder marked by excessive protein loss in the urine, leading to various systemic complications. This condition often results from damage to the glomeruli—the kidney's filtering units—causing proteinuria, low blood protein levels, and fluid retention. Understanding the assessment, diagnosis, and management of nephrotic syndrome is essential for effective treatment and prevention of further kidney damage.AssessmentPatient History: Document...
203