Although it may not be accurate to classify all of these disorders as collagen diseases, disseminated lupus erythematosus, polyarteritis nodosa, microscopic angiitis scleroderma, Wegener’s granulomatosis,  Henoch-Schönlein purpura and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura have been implicated in cases of glomerulonephritis.

The urine sediment is often diagnostic,  containing erythrocytes and erythrocyte casts; renal tubular cells, including…    



Clinical Findings in Nephrosis

A. SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS
Edema may appear insidiously and increase slowly or can appear suddenly and accumulate rapidly. Symptoms other than those related to the mechanical effects of edema are not remarkable.

On physical examination, massive peripheral edema is apparent.  Signs of hydrothorax and ascites are common.

Pallor is often accentuated…    



Continued Treatment for Lupus May Boost Survival of Those Patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have shown that close supervision by rheumatologists and the use of immunosuppressant drugs improve the survival of lupus patients with end-stage kidney disease - a finding that could reverse long-standing clinical practice. Their study appeared in the September 1 online edition of the Journal…    



Biologic Fails in Kidney Disorder

The addition of rituximab to a standard immunosuppressive regimen did not increase the overall response rate among patients with lupus nephritis, a randomized trial found.

At 1 year, the rates of combined complete and partial response among patients receiving rituximab (Rituxan) and those given placebo were 56.9% and 45.8%, respectively (P=0.18), according to Brad…