Comprehensive Diagnosis & Advanced Treatment by Dr. Suresh Chandra
Autoimmune and systemic diseases can severely impact kidney function, leading to conditions like glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis, vasculitis, and systemic sclerosis-related kidney disease. These disorders cause inflammation, immune system attacks on kidney tissues, and progressive kidney damage, increasing the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure.
With 45+ years of expertise, Dr. Suresh Chandra, a leading Physician & Nephrologist, provides personalized treatment strategies to manage autoimmune and systemic kidney diseases effectively, preventing complications and preserving long-term kidney health.
How Autoimmune & Systemic Diseases Affect the Kidneys
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own organs, including the kidneys. This leads to:
🔹 Glomerular inflammation (Glomerulonephritis) – Damaging the kidney’s filtering units.
🔹 Blood vessel inflammation (Vasculitis) – Reducing blood flow to the kidneys.
🔹 Protein & blood loss in urine – Causing swelling and kidney dysfunction.
🔹 Kidney scarring & fibrosis – Leading to progressive kidney failure.
Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent irreversible kidney damage.
Common Autoimmune & Systemic Diseases Affecting the Kidneys
1. Lupus Nephritis (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – SLE)
✔ An autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks multiple organs, including the kidneys.
✔ Leads to glomerulonephritis, causing proteinuria, hematuria (blood in urine), high blood pressure, and kidney failure.
✔ Treatment: Immunosuppressants, steroids, and kidney-protective therapies.
2. Vasculitis-Related Kidney Disease
✔ Inflammation of blood vessels that supply the kidneys, leading to poor blood flow and kidney injury.
✔ Examples include ANCA-associated vasculitis (Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis, Microscopic Polyangiitis).
✔ Treatment: Corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and plasmapheresis.
3. Goodpasture Syndrome (Anti-GBM Disease)
✔ A rare autoimmune disorder where antibodies attack kidney and lung tissues.
✔ Can cause rapid kidney failure (RPGN) and lung hemorrhage.
✔ Treatment: Plasma exchange, immunosuppressants, and steroids.
4. IgA Nephropathy (Berger’s Disease)
✔ A condition where IgA antibodies deposit in kidney glomeruli, causing inflammation, blood in urine, and progressive kidney disease.
✔ Treatment: Blood pressure control, corticosteroids, and immunotherapy.
5. Scleroderma Renal Crisis (Systemic Sclerosis)
✔ A rare complication of systemic sclerosis, causing severe hypertension, kidney failure, and blood vessel damage.
✔ Treatment: ACE inhibitors (e.g., Captopril) and blood pressure control.
6. Rheumatoid Arthritis & Kidney Disease
✔ Chronic inflammation in RA can lead to amyloidosis (abnormal protein deposits in kidneys), nephritis, and CKD.
✔ Treatment: Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), kidney-protective therapy.
7. Sjögren’s Syndrome & Kidney Involvement
✔ An autoimmune disease affecting glands and kidneys, leading to tubulointerstitial nephritis and renal tubular acidosis (RTA).
✔ Treatment: Corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and hydration therapy.
Symptoms of Autoimmune Kidney Diseases
🔸 Swelling (Edema) – Face, hands, feet due to protein loss.
🔸 Foamy Urine – Excessive protein in urine (Proteinuria).
🔸 High Blood Pressure – Common in kidney inflammation.
🔸 Blood in Urine (Hematuria) – A sign of glomerular disease.
🔸 Fatigue & Weakness – Due to kidney dysfunction.
🔸 Joint Pain & Rashes – Seen in Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
If you experience these symptoms, early evaluation is essential to prevent kidney failure.
