Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: From Diagnosis to Prognosis

    October 2017 in “ Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) ”
    Emilie C. Rijnink
    TLDR Current SLE classifications need refinement, and the complement system is a key therapeutic target.
    The thesis explored the diagnosis and prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), particularly in lupus nephritis (LN) and neuropsychiatric SLE (NP-SLE). It found that classification criteria for SLE were not always applicable to nephrology patients with full house glomerular deposits, who had poor renal outcomes. A subgroup of patients with class III/IV LN showed favorable renal outcomes, suggesting a need to refine current classifications. Prognosticators were identified to enhance histopathologic classification of LN. The complement system was highlighted as a key factor and potential therapeutic target in NP-SLE, and the role of pregnancy-acquired microchimerism in SLE was investigated.
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