Clinical analysis of infectious complications in 189 patients with lupus nephritis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical and epidemiologic features of infection in patients with lupus nephritis (LN). Methods The incidence, sites and pathogen species of infection 1 year after diagnosis in 189 patients with LN were retrospectively analyzed, and the relationships between the clinical, histological types, treatment programs and infection were analyzed. Results Among 189 LN patients (16 males and 173 females), 97 patients had infection (infection group), and 92 patients had not infection (non-infection group). The incidence of infection was 51.3% (97/189), while the incidence of nosocomial infection was 39.7% (75/189). In infection group, the patients had 133 infection episodes, and the principal infection sites were lung and urinary tract system, accounting for 67.7% (90/133); the principal pathogen was bacteria, accounting for 72.9% (97/133), and the second was virus, accounting for 17.3% (23/133). Different clinical or pathological types and treatment options of LN had different infection rates, but there were no statistical differences (P >0.05). The incidence of nosocomial infection in patients with glucocorticoid + cyclophosphamide double impact was significantly higher than that in patients treated with glucocorticoid + mycophenolate mofetil: 52.9% (45/85) vs. 7.7% (2/26), and there was statistical difference (P<0.01). One year after diagnosis, the mortality in infection group was significantly higher than that in non-infection group: 8.2% (8/97) vs. 1.1% (1/92), and there was statistical difference (P <0.05). Conclusions The more serious the clinical and pathological types, the higher the incidence of infection. The incidence of infection is associated with the treatment options. Infection is still the most important reason for LN patients' death. Key words: Lupus nephritis; Infection; Retrospective studies