Kidney Week

Abstract: SA-PO0816

Burden of Lupus Nephritis in Latin America: A Disability-Adjusted Life Years Analysis

Session Information

• Glomerular Diseases: Management, Evolving Strategies, and Practice-Changing Advances
  October 24, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Glomerular Diseases

• 1402 Glomerular Diseases: Clinical, Outcomes, and Therapeutics

Authors

• Pons-Estel, Guillermo, Centro Regional de Enfermedades Autoinmunes y Reumáticas, Rosario, Argentina

Guillermo Pons-Estel, MD

• Mejia, Juan Manuel, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran, Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico

Juan Manuel Mejia, MD, PhD

• Silvariño, Ricardo, Hospital de Clinicas Doctor Manuel Quintela, Montevideo, Montevideo Department, Uruguay

Ricardo Silvariño, MD

• Aroca Martinez, Gustavo, Clinica de la Costa Ltda, Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia

Gustavo Aroca Martinez, MD, PhD, MPH, FASN

• Arrieta Vega, Dina M., Hospital Clinica Biblica, San José, San José Province, Costa Rica

Dina M. Arrieta Vega, MD

• Xavier, Ricardo, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

Ricardo Xavier, MD

• Ugarte-Gil, Manuel Francisco, Hospital Nivel IV Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen, La Victoria, Lima Region, Peru

Manuel Francisco Ugarte-Gil, MD, MSc, PhD

• Villar, María José, Clinica Alemana de Santiago SA, Vitacura, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile

María José Villar, MEd

• Gómez, María Eugenia, Hospital Carlos Andrade Marin, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador

María Eugenia Gómez, MD

• Ayala Ferrari, Roger Aureliano, Hospital Centro de Instituto de Previsión Social, Asunción, Paraguay

Roger Aureliano Ayala Ferrari, MD

• Muñoz Louis, Roberto, Hospital Docente Padre Billini, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Roberto Muñoz Louis, MD, MSc

• Gónzalez, Edgardo, Consultorios América, City of Panama, Panama

Edgardo Gónzalez, MD

• Hernández-Castillo, Claudia, Roche Colombia, Bogota, Colombia

Claudia Hernández-Castillo, MSc, RN

• Silveira, Iago D., Produtos Roche Quimicos e Farmaceuticos SA, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Iago D. Silveira

• Rímola, Allan Emilio, Roche Costa Rica, San Jose de Costa Rica, Costa Rica

Allan Emilio Rímola, MD, ScM, MBA

• Vilarino, Marcela, Roche International Ltda, Montevideo, Montevideo Department, Uruguay

Marcela Vilarino, MSc, PhD

• Ramos Mejia, Isabel, Productos Roche SA Quimica e Industrial, Ricardo Rojas, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Isabel Ramos Mejia, MD

• Menendez, Maria Lourdes, Productos Roche SA de CV, Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico

Maria Lourdes Menendez

• Vergara Alcántara, Joge Gilberto, Productos Roche SA de CV, Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico

Joge Gilberto Vergara Alcántara, PharmD

• Vega Rubio, Ana Alexandra, Roche Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador

Ana Alexandra Vega Rubio

• Ferrier, Istvan, Roche Chile Limitada, Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile

Istvan Ferrier, MD, MSc

• Olaechea, Pamela Mariela, Roche Farma Peru SA, San Isidro, Lima Region, Peru

Pamela Mariela Olaechea, PharmD

• Diaz, Melissa, Roche Colombia, Bogota, Colombia

Melissa Diaz, MD, MSc

• Hernandez, Mauricio Andres, Roche Colombia, Bogota, Colombia

Mauricio Andres Hernandez, MHS, ACNP, MEHP

• Prieto Pinto, Laura Catalina, Roche Colombia, Bogota, Colombia

Laura Catalina Prieto Pinto, MD, MSc

Background

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), kidney failure, and premature mortality. Although LN occurs more frequently and severely in Latin American (LATAM) populations, its population-level burden remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to estimate the Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) of LN in LATAM.

Methods

A burden-of-disease study estimated the 2024 burden across 12 LATAM countries. LN prevalence was estimated by multiplying SLE cases by the proportion developing LN, sourced from local/regional studies or national databases. Mortality was indirectly estimated through the probability of death from CKD attributable to LN. DALYs were calculated according to the World Health Organization methodology as the sum of years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD). Disability weights were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease study.

Results

Estimated LN prevalence ranged from 14.7-65.3 cases per 100,000 population, and mortality from 0.003-0.035/100,000 across countries. Total DALYs ranged from 112-354/100,000. Women accounted for most DALYs (68-295/100,000) compared with men (18-71/100,000), consistent with the disproportionate frequency of SLE among women. DALYs increased progressively with CKD stages, the lowest 1-2 (0.8-5) to the highest in dialysis (49-157). Most DALYs were driven by YLD rather than YLL, indicating chronic disability contributed more to burden than premature mortality.

Conclusion

LN imposes a substantial burden across LATAM, driven predominantly by disability associated with progressive CKD and dialysis dependence. The concentration of DALYs among women during economically productive years highlight the broader societal impact of LN. These findings support earlier diagnosis and improved access to therapies aimed at preventing CKD progression and kidney failure.

Figure 1

Funding

• Commercial Support – Roche