Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40221666›Full record

ArticleBMC nephrology2025

Factors associated with worsening interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy in lupus nephritis patients undergoing clinically indicated repeat kidney biopsy.

Daming Shao, Alejandra Londoño Jimenez, Maria Salgado Guerrero, Shudan Wang, Anna Broder

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC nephrology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Daming ShaoDivision of Rheumatology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. tomshaodm@gmail.com.
Alejandra Londoño JimenezDivision of Rheumatology, McFarland Clinic, Ames, IA, USA.
Maria Salgado GuerreroDivision of Rheumatology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
Shudan WangDivision of Rheumatology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
Anna BroderDivision of Rheumatology, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ, USA.

Funding

Institutional Career Development CoreKL2TR002558 · NCATS · ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, INC · PI MARANTZ, PAUL R · 2018 to 2022
$2.7M
The impact of hydroxychloroquine use on thrombosis and mortality in lupus-related end stage renal diseaseK23AR068441 · NIAMS · ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, INC · PI BRODER, ANNA · 2017 to 2021
$832k
NCATS NIH HHS KL2 TR002558NIAMS NIH HHS K23 AR068441Rheumatology Research Foundation 917144
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most severe manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IFTA) on kidney biopsies strongly predicts progression to end-stage renal disease although factors associated with IFTA progression remained unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the demographic, clinical, and histopathological factors at the time of index kidney biopsies that are associated with worsening IFTA on repeat biopsies and identify potential biomarkers of worsening interstitial damage.

methodsPatients with LN Class I to V or mixed LN on index biopsies who underwent a clinically indicated repeat biopsy between 2004 and 2020 were identified. None-mild IFTA was defined as < 25% acreage of the interstitium affected by fibrosis and atrophy, and moderate-severe IFTA was defined as ≥ 25% of the interstitium affected. Patients with none-mild IFTA on index biopsies who progressed to moderate-severe IFTA on repeat biopsies were defined as progressors. Patients with none-mild IFTA on both biopsies were defined as non-progressors.

resultsSeventy-two patients who underwent clinically indicated repeat kidney biopsies were included, and 35 (49%) were identified as progressors. Compared to non-progressors, progressors had a higher proportion of proliferative LN (26 [74%] vs. 18 [49%], p = 0.04) and crescents (9 [26%] vs. 3 [8%], p = 0.045) on index biopsies. There was no difference regarding the time to repeat biopsy or the baseline characteristics, including eGFR, presence of hypertension and diabetes, urine protein to creatinine ratio, or the initial treatments.

conclusionsProliferative LN and the presence of crescents on index biopsies were associated with subsequent IFTA progression on repeat biopsies. This association indicates that glomerular damage is one of the major drivers of tubulointerstitial scarring in SLE. IFTA progression may, in turn, be the driving factor of poor treatment response and progression to chronic kidney disease.

Indexed as

KidneyKidney TubulesLupus NephritisAdultAtrophyBiopsyDisease ProgressionFemaleFibrosisHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesLupus nephritisRepeat kidney biopsyTubulointerstitial damage

Identifiers

PMID40221666
PMCPMC11992855

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.