Successful Treatment with Belimumab in a Patient with Refractory Systemic Lupus Erythematosus after Initiation of Hemodialysis: Considering the Synergistic Effect of Belimumab and Immunological Burn-Out Phenomenon in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients on Hemodialysis.

Background: In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), disease activity can persist even after initiating dialysis. However, guidelines for the treatment of patients with SLE after dialysis is initiated have not yet been established.

Case Presentation: We describe the case of a 54-year-old Japanese woman who was diagnosed with SLE at age 12, progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and initiated hemodialysis for lupus nephritis.

Grading system utilising the total score of Oxford classification for predicting renal prognosis in IgA nephropathy.

The Oxford classification of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) can evaluate each MEST-C score individually. We analysed a new grading system that utilised the total MEST-C score in predicting renal prognosis. Altogether, 871 IgAN patients were classified into three groups using the new Oxford classification system (O-grade) that utilised the total MEST-C score (O-grade I: 0-1, II: 2-4, and III: 5-7 points), and the 10-year renal prognosis was analysed.

Long-Term Beneficial Effects of Tonsillectomy on Patients with Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy.

Background: Tonsillectomy may treat IgA nephropathy (IgAN) by reducing the levels of galactose-deficient IgA1. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the long-term effects of tonsillectomy on patients with IgAN, as an initial treatment and as a treatment at any time in their lives.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort analysis, 1147 patients with IgAN were grouped according to whether they had undergone tonsillectomy at any time, >1 year after renal biopsy (study 1), or within 1 year after renal biopsy (study 2).

Validation of the revised Oxford classification for IgA nephropathy considering treatment with corticosteroids/immunosuppressors.

The Oxford classification for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) was updated in 2017. We have validated the revised Oxford classification considering treatment with corticosteroids/immunosuppressors. In this retrospective analysis, 871 IgAN patients were enrolled.

Long-term follow-up characteristics of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) receiving chronic hemodialysis at a single center.

Background: The clinical characteristics and treatment of patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) after initiating chronic hemodialysis remain unknown.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 11 adult patients with AAV receiving chronic hemodialysis in our hospital from 2000-2016. We collected data describing each patient's clinical findings and treatment before and after initiating hemodialysis.

Primary IgA Vasculitis with Nephritis in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosed by Anti-galactose-deficient IgA1 Immunostaining.

Renal disease is a common complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and can occur secondary to RA or be induced by therapeutic agents. Recently, glomerular deposition of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) was identified as a feature of primary IgA vasculitis with nephritis (IgA-VN). We herein report a case of IgA-VN in an RA patient whose disease activity was controlled by treatment with etanercept.

Recent Advances in Treatment Strategies for Lupus Nephritis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs and tissues. Lupus nephritis (LN) is a serious complication of SLE, which occurs at a high rate. Conventional treatment strategies of LN have been widely accepted by two concepts such as induction therapy and maintenance therapy.