Background: Concerning the importance and the high frequency of renal involvement in patients with SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE), and the ability to measure the value of hematuria on predicting the incidence of LUPUS nephritis, this study aimed to determine the frequency of LUPUS nephritis in SLE patients with hematuria. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated 500 patients with SLE in Isfahan City, Iran, between the years 2001 and 2015. Medical history, as well as demographic and clinical data of patients including the levels of C3, C4, and anti-dsDNA antibody, presence of LUPUS nephritis, proteinuria, cellular cast, pyuria, urinary tract infection, urinary tract stones, congenital renal defects, and history of any kidney disease were obtained from the patients' files at the end of the study period, and analyzed using SPSS software. Findings: The frequency of hematuria in patients with LUPUS nephritis was 36. 1%, and there was no significant relationship between the presence of hematuria and the existence of LUPUS nephritis in patients with SLE [odds ratio (OR) = 0. 727, confidence interval of 95% = 0. 376-1. 648, P = 0. 520]. The individuals with LUPUS nephritis had a lower age distribution compared to the cases without it (P = 0. 005). Most of the cases in the LUPUS nephritis group had low C3 and C4, but most patients in non-LUPUS nephritis group had normal levels of C3 and C4 (P < 0. 05). Conclusion: The relative frequency of LUPUS nephritis in SLE patients with hematuria was approximately 36%. Therefore, the presence of hematuria in patients with SLE may account for incidence of LUPUS nephritis one-third of the cases.

Background: SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) is a common autoimmune disease, and if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, can lead to irreversible complications such as LUPUS nephritis. Thus, the early detection of the disease is very important. On the other hand, some studies have shown that there is a relationship between the serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and the activity of LUPUS disease. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between antibody titer with severity and activity level of SLE. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 70 women in age range of 18-35 years old with SLE who referred to rheumatology clinic of Alzahra hospital, Isfahan, Iran, were selected. LUPUS activity was determined using SLE Disease Activity Index-2000 (SLEDAI-2k) score, and serum level of AMH was measured; and the relationship between SLE activity and serum level of AMH was evaluated. Findings: Mean serum level of AMH was 1. 49 ± 1. 58 ng/ml, ranging from 0. 20 to 7. 36; and thus, 11 patients (15. 7%) had low levels of the hormone. Moreover, there was a statistically significant inverse correlation between disease activity scores and serum levels of AMH, as much as 0. 46 (P < 0. 001). Conclusion: The results of our study showed a relation between LUPUS activity and serum AMH. Especially, among the patients under treatment with corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide pulse therapy, there were lower levels of AMH; and this might lead to ovarian reserve loss and fertility problems in women of childbearing age.

Late onset SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) after 50-year-old is rare. We report a case of 84-year-old woman presenting with SYSTEMIC LUPUS revealed by pleural effusion associated with renal involvement. The pleural effusion, renal abnormalities and the immunological abnormality improved within 4 weeks after prednisone therapy (1 mg/kg/day).The late onset LUPUS differs from those with early onset, in terms of mild clinical presentation and favourable prognosis. Our observation is exceptional due to the very late onset of the LUPUS and involvement of a major organ, the kidney, which is usually exceptional in this age.