August 12, 2019
Patients diagnosed with the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experience inflammation that damages their organs, when their body attacks healthy cells. The kidneys are often affected by this damage, resulting in lupus nephritis (LN). Early diagnosis of this condition is essential to reduce the amount of damage done to the kidneys, but traditionally diagnosis is done by kidney biopsy, which is both expensive and invasive.
A team of researchers from the University of Houston believe they have discovered an alternative diagnostic tool in the urine of patients. Levels of two types of proteins, a pro- and an anti-blood clotting protein, were elevated in the urine of lupus patients with lupus nephritis.
This knowledge may provide a non-invasive and cost-effective test that will allow doctors to detect LN early in those with SLE, as well as monitor if medication is working, and disease activity.
Source: News Medical
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