Particularities of the Evolution and Therapeutic Response in Men with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Lupus Nephritis

Aim. The prevalence ratio of systemic lupus erythematosus in men compared to women is 1:10, with more aggressive forms in men and in children. The incidence of lupus nephritis is of 50-60% in patients with lupus.

In this paper, we aim to report on a series of cases that include male patients who had lupus nephritis via renal biopsy and were admitted between January 2011 - December 2017, with or without other SLE manifestations. The aim is to review the particularities and the therapeutic response: age at onset, disease duration, lupus nephritis class, extra-renal organ involvement of lupus disease, paraclinical findings – proteinuria, inflammatory syndrome, renal function, therapeutic response – immunosuppressive regimens used for induction and maintenance, remission onset, remission type, number of flares, side effects of immunosuppressive therapy.

Materials and method. We have reviewed the histopathology database of male patients with lupus nephritis revealed via renal biopsy, medical charts and the Hippocrates information system in order to collect patient data.

Outcomes. Out of 68 renal biopsies positive for lupus nephritis, 9 were from male patients, which reveals a 6.5:1 ratio. The average age at the time of the renal biopsy is 37. 33 years old. Lupus nephritis class - 8 out of 9 patients were class IV, 1 sample was class IV+V. The duration of the corticosteroid therapy is 6.6 years. In addition, we also reviewed the immunosuppressive agents used, the number of flares, and the side effects of the medication.

Conclusions. Our data are similar to the literature data.