Intrarenal hemodynamics in patients with some systemic rheumatic diseases

Aim. To study intrarenal hemodynamics (IRHD) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and sclerodermia systematica (SS). Materials and methods. IRHD was studied in 30(28 females and 2 males) and 25 (22 females and 3 males) patients with SLE and SS, respectively, and mean duration of the disease 5.6+/-0.5 and 7.5+/-1.2 years, respectively. Lupus nephritis was diagnosed in 21 (70%), sclerodermic nephropathy in 10(40%) patients. Patients with chronic renal failure were not included IRHD was investigated using protein loading which provided the index of functional renal reserve (FRR). Results. Impaired IRHD was detected in 21 (70%) patients with SLE. 19 patients had lupus nephritis. FRR depletion was found also in 2 patients free of lupus nephritis symptoms. 10 of them (8 with active nephritis and 2 with intact kidneys) had arteria( hypertension. FRR depletion was found also in 12(48%) of SS patients. 7 of them them had sclerodermic renal lesions. Conclusion. Impaired IRHD was encounted frequently both in SLE and SS patients and can develop in the absence of renal affection symptoms.