ARTERIAL-HYPERTENSION IN LUPUS NEPHRITIS

Incidence of arterial hypertension (AH), its relation with activity of lupus nephritis (LN), other factors (antiphospholipid syndrome, old a ge, disturbances of purin and lipid metabolism), prognostic implicatio n of AH were studied in a trial performed from 1957 to 1996. A total o f 398 patients with LN were divided into 3 groups according to immunos uppressive therapy practiced in different time periods. Overall AH inc idence and that of severe AH were similar at present and in the past. AH occurred frequently in patients with rapidly progressing LN and act ive LN with nephrotic syndrome. In remission of nephrotic syndrome AH incidence was on the decrease. This suggests that hypertension may be a criterion of LN activity. AH was also associated with the presence o f antiphospholipid syndrome and old age. AH was a separate prognostic indicator in respect to overall and renal survival. Hemodynamic mechan isms may contribute to LN progression.