Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with a focus on renal involvement

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies directed against constituents of the cell nucleus, leading to chronic multi-organ inflammation. Among visceral disorders, kidney damage - or lupus nephropathy - is one of the most serious complications, occurring in around 50-70% of lupus patients. This condition is often silent at first, but can progress to chronic renal failure if not diagnosed and treated early. The immunological involvement, notably the formation of immune complexes and their deposition in the renal glomeruli, results in variable histological lesions, ranging from benign to severe proliferative forms, as shown by the ISN/RPS classification.The book highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges faced by SLE patients in Africa, particularly in the DRC, and underlines the need for systematic screening of renal function in patients with SLE, using tests such as proteinuria, creatinine clearance and renal biopsy.