Treatment of lupus nephritis: immunosuppression, general therapy, dialysis and transplantation

The treatment of patients with clinical lupus nephritis is based on a combination of our understanding of the natural history of the disease, a large number of anecdotal reports, and a small number of studies which demonstrate statistical treatment benefits. This review is directed towards the treatments (immunosuppressive, general therapy, and end-stage renal failure management) which have been demonstrated to have been, or not to have been, beneficial. Although the prognosis of patients with lupus nephritis is undergoing continuous improvement, this may relate as much to changes in general treatment measures as to specific immunosuppressive schedules.