Table 1.
Demographic and clinical data
| Biopsy A a n = 14 | Biopsy B b n = 14 | P | Normal controls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic | ||||
| Age at biopsy (years) | 26 ± 5c | 30 ± 7 | <0.001 | 32 ± 9 |
| Female (%) | 14 (100) | 14 (100) | 1.000 | 8 (80) |
| Hispanic (%) | 14 (100) | 14 (100) | 1.000 | 10 (100) |
| Delay from symptoms to biopsy (months) | 3 (1–5)d | 1 (0–2) | <0.001 | – |
| Time between biopsies A and B (years) | 3.5 (1.5–6.5)d | – | – | – |
| Laboratoryd | ||||
| Serum creatinine (μmol/L) | 80 (71–133) | 168 (97–256) | 0.011 | 62 (53–80) |
| 24 h-urine protein/creatinine (mg/mmol) | 475 (260–746) | 520 (260–836) | 0.667 | 0 (0–2.3) |
| ds-DNA antibodies (u/ul)e | 118 (34–602) | 123 (47–539) | 1.000 | – |
| C3 ratiof | 0.7 (0.6–1.3) | 0.4 (0.2–0.8) | 0.004 | – |
| C4 ratiof | 0.5 (0.3–1.2) | 0.5 (0.4–1.0) | 0.280 | – |
| Histopathology | ||||
| Class III (%) | 2 (14.5) | 0 (0) | 0.481 | – |
| Class IV (%) | 4 (28.5) | 3 (21.4) | 1.000 | – |
| Class III+V (%) | 4 (28.5) | 2 (14.3) | 0.648 | |
| Class IV+V (%) | 4 (28.5) | 9 (64.3) | 0.128 | |
| Activity scored | 7 (4–9) | 8 (3–11) | 0.734 | – |
| Chronicity scored | 2 (2–4) | 5 (3–7) | 0.016 | – |
| Treatment history before biopsy A | ||||
| No immunosuppression | 6 (42.9) | – | – | – |
| Corticosteroids <10 mg | 6 (42.9) | – | – | – |
| Antimalarial | 4 (28.6) | – | – | – |
| Induction treatmentg | ||||
| Corticosteroids (%) | 14 (100) | 14 (100) | 1.000 | – |
| Mycophenolate mofetil (%) | 3 (21.4) | 10 (71.4) | 0.021 | – |
| Cyclophosphamide (%) | 8 (57.2) | 4 (28.6) | 0.252 | – |
| Azathioprine (%) | 3 (21.4) | 0 (0) | 0.222 | – |
| Maintenance treatment between biopsies A and B | ||||
| Azathioprine (%) | 12 (85.7) | – | – | – |
| Mycophenolate mofetil (%) | 2 (14.3) | – | – | – |
| Corticosteroids (%) | 12 (85.7) | – | – | – |
| Antimalarial (%) | 6 (42.9) | – | – | – |
| 12-month responseh | ||||
| Complete response (%) | 9 (64) | 3 (21) | 0.054 | – |
| Partial response (%) | 2 (14) | 4 (29) | 0.648 | – |
| No response (%)i | 3 (21) | 7 (50) | 0.236 | – |
a
Biopsy A was done at initial LN diagnosis.
b
Biopsy B was done at LN flare.
c
Mean ± standard deviation.
d
Data presented as median and interquartile range.
e
Normal ds-DNA is <9.6 UI/mL.
f
C3 and C4 ratios were calculated as the reported value divided by the lower limit of the reference level.
g
All patients were also given high-dose corticosteroids.
h
Complete response is defined as stable renal function (within 15% of baseline) plus 24 h-uPCR <0.5 g/g; partial response is defined as stable renal function plus 50% reduction of baseline 24 h-uPCR; no response indicates a patient did not achieve complete or partial response by 12 months, but responded later.
i
These patients achieved response beyond 12 months.