Factors Associated with Disease Relapses in Lupus Nephritis Patients

Objective : To determine factors associated with disease relapses in lupus nephritis patients . Methods : A case - control study in lupus nephritis outpatients at King Chulalongkorn Memorial hospital and Nopparat Rajathanee hospital was conducted during November 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014 . Data were collected from the respondents using interviews . The key variables examined were factors associated with disease relapses by chi - squared test . Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios ( OR ) and 95 % confidence intervals . Results : There were 169 patients ( 74 patients in a study group and 95 patients in a control group ). The factors associated with disease relapse in lupus nephritis were blood pressure ( adjusted OR = 3 . 12, 95 % CI 1 . 01 - 9 . 71 ) , infection ( adjusted OR = 3 . 12, 95 % CI 1 . 38 - 7 . 03 ) , organ involvements ( adjusted OR = 3 . 10, 95 % CI 1 . 46 - 6 . 53 ) , noncompliance ( adjusted OR = 3 . 26, 95 % CI 1 . 42 - 7 . 52 ) and stress ( adjusted OR = 4 . 11, 95 % CI 1 . 75 - 9 . 68 ). Conclusions : The results of this study provide evidence that several factors contributed to disease relapses in lupus nephritis patients . Consequently, paying attention to such factors is essential to prevent relapse, enhance the quality of life of lupus nephritis patients . Keywords : Factors, disease relapse, lupus nephritis