[The evolution of the clinical activity of systemic lupus erythematosus after a kidney transplant].

BACKGROUND

To study the clinical activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in recipients of renal transplants (rT) performed by terminal renal failure (TRF) secondary to lupus nephritis.

METHODS

The clinical evolution of 11 patients with SLE (ARA criteria) and TRF were evaluated with a descriptive character by the modified index of activity SLE-DAI during dialysis periods and post rT as well as in the course prior to disease. A comparative analysis was carried out in a control group of 25 patients with SLE without renal failure.

RESULTS

The indexes of activity of the group investigated were higher than those of the control group during the predialysis period, similar in the dialysis period and significantly decreased (p < 0.01) in the post rT. In the group with rT a significant decrease was reported in the indexes of activity in the periods of dialysis (p < 0.05) and post rT (p < 0.01) with respect to the previous period. A significant reduction was observed in the post rT therapeutic options.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical activity of systemic lupus erythematosus is reduced in the terminal renal failure in dialysis. The most significant reduction of clinical activity is found after renal transplantation.