Frequency and factors associated with flare-ups in lupus patients with lupus nephritis in French Guiana
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, University Hospital of French Guiana, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni Site, French Guiana, France
- 2Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, University Clinics of Kinshasa, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
- 3Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation, University Hospital of Guadeloupe, Guadeloupe, France
- 4Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, University Hospital of French Guiana, Cayenne, French Guiana, France
- 5Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of French Guiana (CHU de Guyane), Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana, France
Abstract
Background: French Guiana ranks among the French overseas territories with the highest prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, local data on lupus flares and renal involvement remain limited. This study aimed to determine the frequency of lupus flares and identify associated factors among patients with lupus nephritis (LN) compared with those without renal involvement.
Methods: We conducted an observational historical cohort study using data from the West Guyanese lupus cohort between January 2018 and December 2022. Patients with confirmed SLE were consecutively included and classified according to the presence or absence of LN. Clinical, biological, and immunological data were extracted from medical records. Lupus flare was defined as documented disease worsening requiring therapeutic intensification. Factors associated with flares were assessed using multivariable logistic regression.
Results: Sixty-two patients were included, of whom 45 (72.6%) had LN. Overall, 53% experienced at least one flare. Flares occurred more frequently in patients with LN than in those without LN (62.2% vs. 29.4%). Higher anti-dsDNA and anti-Smith antibody levels, higher SLEDAI scores, fever, pleural effusion, and cutaneous manifestations were significantly associated with flares. In multivariable analysis, LN (OR 3.64; 95% CI 1.00–13.23; p=0.049) and higher anti-dsDNA antibody levels (p=0.033) were independently associated with flares.
Conclusion: Lupus flares were frequent and occurred more often in patients with LN. LN and higher anti-dsDNA antibody levels were independently associated with flares, supporting close monitoring of patients with renal involvement to identify disease activity and optimize management.
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BibTeX
@article{bunkete2026frequency,
title = {{Frequency and factors associated with flare-ups in lupus patients with lupus nephritis in French Guiana}},
author = {Arriel Makembi Bunkete and Mamadou Mouctar Diallo and Jonathan Muamba Mutombo and Malika Belgrine and Gloria Ningaro Timem and Comlan Ney-nicaise Vigan and Mohamed Sidibe and Timothé Davodoun and Irénée Djiconkpode and Tanguy Gbaguidi and Franklin Samou Fantcho},
journal = {Frontiers in Nephrology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fneph.2026.1972371},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fneph.2026.1972371},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Frequency and factors associated with flare-ups in lupus patients with lupus nephritis in French Guiana
AU - Arriel Makembi Bunkete
AU - Mamadou Mouctar Diallo
AU - Jonathan Muamba Mutombo
AU - Malika Belgrine
AU - Gloria Ningaro Timem
AU - Comlan Ney-nicaise Vigan
AU - Mohamed Sidibe
AU - Timothé Davodoun
AU - Irénée Djiconkpode
AU - Tanguy Gbaguidi
AU - Franklin Samou Fantcho
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/12
JO - Frontiers in Nephrology
DO - 10.3389/fneph.2026.1972371
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fneph.2026.1972371
AB - Background: French Guiana ranks among the French overseas territories with the highest prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, local data on lupus flares and renal involvement remain limited. This study aimed to determine the frequency of lupus flares and identify associated factors among patients with lupus nephritis (LN) compared with those without renal involvement. Methods: We conducted an observational historical cohort study using data from the West Guyanese lupus cohort between January 2018 and December 2022. Patients with confirmed SLE were consecutively included and classified according to the presence or absence of LN. Clinical, biological, and immunological data were extracted from medical records. Lupus flare was defined as documented disease worsening requiring therapeutic intensification. Factors associated with flares were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Sixty-two patients were included, of whom 45 (72.6%) had LN. Overall, 53% experienced at least one flare. Flares occurred more frequently in patients with LN than in those without LN (62.2% vs. 29.4%). Higher anti-dsDNA and anti-Smith antibody levels, higher SLEDAI scores, fever, pleural effusion, and cutaneous manifestations were significantly associated with flares. In multivariable analysis, LN (OR 3.64; 95% CI 1.00–13.23; p=0.049) and higher anti-dsDNA antibody levels (p=0.033) were independently associated with flares. Conclusion: Lupus flares were frequent and occurred more often in patients with LN. LN and higher anti-dsDNA antibody levels were independently associated with flares, supporting close monitoring of patients with renal involvement to identify disease activity and optimize management.
SN - 2813-0626
ER -