When lupus affects the kidneys, it's called lupus nephritis, and this is where staging really comes into play. Lupus nephritis is broken down into six classes based on how much kidney damage has occurred, usually determined through a kidney biopsy.
Here's a quick breakdown of each stage:
- Class 1 – Minimal involvement Show Full Answer
When lupus affects the kidneys, it's called lupus nephritis, and this is where staging really comes into play. Lupus nephritis is broken down into six classes based on how much kidney damage has occurred, usually determined through a kidney biopsy.
Here's a quick breakdown of each stage:
- Class 1 – Minimal involvement; little to no kidney damage
- Class 2 – Mild inflammation in the kidneys
- Class 3 – Less than half of the kidney's filtering units (glomeruli) are affected
- Class 4 – More than half of the glomeruli are affected; often includes high blood pressure and protein in urine
- Class 5 – Thickening of kidney structures with immune deposits building up around the glomeruli
- Class 6 – More than 90% of the glomeruli are damaged, often leading to kidney failure
The higher the class, the more serious the damage — and the more intensive the treatment tends to be. It's worth knowing that not everyone with lupus will develop lupus nephritis, but about 50% of adults with lupus do. The good news is that treatments can slow progression and help protect the kidneys from further damage.
Always work closely with your care team to monitor kidney health — regular blood and urine tests are key to catching any changes early.
October 9
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