A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can develop both lupus nephritis and antiphospholipid syndrome nephropathy. Untreated antiphospholipid syndrome nephropathy is associated with a poor renal outcome.
Patient selection: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
The diagnosis of lupus nephritis is based on renal biopsy changes, especially if seen prior to development of antiphospholipid antibodies.
A patient with antiphospholipid syndrome may present with antiphospholipid antibodies, malignant hypertension, livedo reticularis, or thrombotic disease.
Renal manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome nephropathy (APSN):
(1) renal artery stenosis
(2) renal arterial or venous thrombosis
(3) cortical infarction
(4) thrombotic microangiopathy
(5) small vessel vasculopathy
Differential diagnosis:
(1) antiphospholipid syndrome nephropathy in the absence of lupus nephritis
