LN patients who presented with ASR [defined as 1) increase in anti-dsDNA >100 IU/mL , with or without drop in serum complement; or 2) increase in anti-dsDNA to higher than the normal range and >2 times of the preceding value, with or without drop in serum complement; and 3) Absence of renal or systemic manifestations of SLE) will be randomized to receive pre-emptive increase in immunosuppression or had their current immunosuppressive therapies unchanged.~Patients will be followed at 4-, 12-, 24-wk and then every 12 weeks up to 24 months to monitor for renal or extra-renal relapses. Bloods and urine will be collected for measurement of renal and serological parameters, and also B cell signatures.~Primary outcomes: Renal Flare (denoted as proteinuria >1g/D; presence of urinary RBC >30 hpf/RBC casts, or increase in SCr >15% and positive anti-dsDNA)~Secondary outcomes:~Safety & tolerability of pre-emptive increase of immunosuppressive treatments~Extra-renal flares~Renal function at 24 months~Changes in serological parameters
The optimal management of asymptomatic serological reactivation (ASR) in lupus nephritis (LN) patients remained undefined. This project aims to investigate the impact of pre-emptive treatment on disease relapse in LN patients who experienced ASR.