Abstract

Introduction: Kidney damage in systemic lupus erythematosus is one of the most serious and frequent complications of the disease. Tubulo-interstitial involvement constitutes the main determinant of kidney disease progression, regardless of the nephropathy involved. The clinical and analytical parameters used in routine clinical practice predict glomerular injury, but not tubular injury. Beta 2 microglobulin may be a useful marker to diagnose renal tubular injury in lupus patients. Objective: To determine the clinical usefulness of B2M in the diagnosis of renal tubular damage due to systemic lupus erythematosus. Methodological design: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out at the National Reference Center for Rheumatic Diseases, at the “10 de Octubre” Clinical Surgical Teaching Hospital, in the period between June/2023 and December/2023. The sample was made up of 30 lupus patients who met the established criteria. Results: The average age was 45 years with a predominance of the female sex (93.3%) and white skin color (53.3%). The Beta 2 microglobulin values obtained were adjusted to those of urinary creatinine, calculating the Beta 2 microglobulin/Creatinine Index, which was elevated in 26.7% of the patients. 50% had a decreased Glomerular Filtration Rate, either due to Creatinine and/or Cystatin C. No statistical association was obtained between tubular damage and decreased renal function. Conclusi

Keywords

systemic lupus erythematosus, Beta 2 microglobulin, lupus nephropathy, renal tubular damage