Can lupus nephritis recur after a transplant at 71?

Question

Hello doctor,

My mother is 71 and previously had a kidney transplant because of lupus nephritis. She has been stable for years, but lately she has become anxious about the disease returning. This made us wonder:

Can lupus nephritis recur after a successful transplant at 71, or does the risk become very low after long-term stability?

We are trying to understand what signs doctors usually monitor over time.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I totally understand that your mom is worried about lupus nephritis returning, even after many years of stability. A transplant is a big deal, and one of the most common concerns is the fear that the original disease could affect the new kidney. “The good news is the outlook is very positive for most people.Studies have shown that lupus nephritis rarely recurs in a transplanted kidney and, when it does, it is usually mild and treatable.Clinically apparent recurrence occurs in about 1 per cent to 11 per cent of cases, with most studies reporting it in the low single digits.Your mom’s transplant team will probably monitor how well her kidneys are working with a combination of routine blood and urine tests. They watch for the key signs of:

Proteinuria.
Increased serum creatinine.
Elevated blood pressure.
Complement levels (C3 and C4).

Anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies (anti-dsDNA) antibodies.Your mother’s medical team is the best source since they have the whole picture of her health. I hope this is helpful in bringing you some clarity and peace of mind as you continue to navigate this with her. For patients with stable graft function, three to six months of follow-up with the transplant team is adequate evaluation.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer.

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Thank you.