The impact of lupus nephritis type IV+V on life expectancy varies greatly from person to person according to the treatment measures taken, disease progression and other factors.
Lupus nephritis is a manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus that involves the kidneys, and patients may have symptoms such as proteinuria, hematuria and edema, etc. According to its pathological manifestations, lupus nephritis is classified into types I~VI, of which type IV is diffuse lupus nephritis and type V is membranous lupus nephritis, of which types I and II have relatively good prognosis, while types IV and V have relatively poor prognosis.
The treatment of lupus nephritis is mainly based on drug therapy, and renal replacement therapy is needed when necessary. Type IV needs immunosuppressive therapy, and type V needs protein-lowering and antihypertensive therapy, and immunosuppressive therapy and glucocorticosteroid therapy are chosen according to the extra-renal manifestations.
After active treatment, some lupus patients may have long-term inactivity and minimal impact on the kidneys, potentially leaving the patient’s life expectancy unaffected. Some patients may develop to uremia stage, which requires active renal replacement therapy.
It is recommended that patients with lupus nephritis should go to the rheumatology and immunology department of regular hospitals in time, under the guidance of doctors to standardize the diagnosis and treatment, and undergo regular review, so as to avoid delaying the treatment and affecting the prognosis.