Renal manifestations of drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus

Renal failure secondary to crescentic glomerulonephritis developed in a patient who had typical serologic features of drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus after two years of therapy with procainamide. Renal function and proteinuria improved after the drug was discontinued and steroid therapy begun. A review of previously reported cases of glomerulonephritis in association with drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus revealed a high incidence of renal failure. Crescentic glomerulonephritis has not to our knowledge been previously documented in drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus.