Introduction:
Lupus Nephritis (LN) affects individuals across various age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds. However, data on the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and outcomes, including infective complications, is limited.
Methods:
This ambispective study with biopsy proven LN patients between 2018 to 2023, evaluated demographic data, SES (Modified Kuppuswamy scale 2018), laboratory parameters, and outcomes to explore their correlation with patient outcomes.
Results:
A total of 242 LN patients were included, with a mean age of 29.57 ± 9.47 years, and 87.2% of the population were female. The median age was least in class IV and highest in class III+V LN. most of the patients (71.1%) belonged to the upper lower socioeconomic group followed by 45 patients (18.6%) in the Lower middle socioeconomic group as per Modified Kuppuswamy scale (2019). Infective complication was seen in 26.4% patients including tuberculosis in 12.8%, viral infections in 6.2% and bacterial infections in 5.8% of the patients. Most infections were seen in the upper lower followed by lower middle socio-economic class. Mean duration of follow-up was 22.86+12.63 months. On follow-up 50.2% patients had CR, 20.3% had PR and 29.4% patients did not have remission. ESRD was seen in 9.5% patients. 20 (8.7%) patients required hospitalization while 11 (4.7%) patients expired. 48.1% patients of upper lower, 46.7% of lower middle and 70.8% of upper middle class showed complete remission. There was no significant difference between the Modified Kuppuswamy scale (2018) and distribution of Remission (χ2 = 5.661, p = 0.226), ESRD (χ2 = 0.954, p = 0.723), hospitalization (χ2 = 2.582, p = 0.334), and death (χ2 = 2.528, p = 0.409).
Conclusions:
Though infectious complications were common in our cohort, socioeconomic status of the patient did not affect patient outcomes with respect to remission as well as the infective complications.
I have no potential conflict of interest to disclose.
I did not use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process.