BIOMARKER-DRIVEN EARLY DETECTION AND PROGNOSTIC MODELING OF RENAL INJURY IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is frequently accompanied by renal involvement, termed lupus nephritis (LN), which continues to be a leading contributor to morbidity and mortality among affected patients. While renal biopsy remains the diagnostic gold standard, its invasive nature restricts widespread and repeated use in clinical practice. This underscores the urgent need for accurate and non-invasive biomarkers. The present study aims to assess the diagnostic and prognostic utility of serum vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in differentiating SLE patients with and without renal involvement.