Lupus Nephritis Epidemiology Forecast

Key Highlight

• The total diagnosed prevalent cases of lupus nephritis in the 7MM were approximately 375,900 in 2025, and this number is projected to increase by 2036.
• Lupus nephritis is one of the most serious complications of SLE, with the potential to progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It affects approximately 40–60% of SLE patients, and among those, 10–30% may advance to ESRD despite therapy.
• In the US, the rising burden of lupus nephritis is partly driven by increasing racial diversity, as populations with higher susceptibility to severe SLE, such as Black, Hispanic, and Asian individuals, continue to grow. Alongside improved survival in SLE and greater diagnostic vigilance, these factors are contributing to the steady rise in lupus nephritis diagnoses.
• Lupus nephritis is predominantly seen in adults, especially women aged 20–40, but pediatric cases, though fewer, often present with more severe renal involvement. This age-related variation is influenced by immune maturity, hormonal factors, and genetic predisposition.
• Among the histological subtypes, Class IV remains the most prevalent and carries the worst prognosis, often associated with non-remission and high relapse rates. In contrast, Classes I and II are associated with milder disease and better outcomes, whereas Class V, though less common, poses its challenges due to frequent proteinuria and overlap with proliferative forms, reinforcing the need for timely diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies.
• Lupus nephritis incidence rate peaked around 2020 and has since declined, while prevalence continues to rise due to improved survival. This suggests a growing but gradually stabilizing patient burden over time.
• Spain recorded the highest SLE prevalence rate among the EU4 and the UK, suggesting a relatively greater concentration of diagnosed cases within its population.

Lupus Nephritis Epidemiology Forecast in the 7MM

• 2025 Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Lupus Nephritis: ~375,900
• 2036 Projected Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Lupus Nephritis: ~476,000
• Lupus Nephritis Growth Rate (2026–2036): ~2.0% CAGR

DelveInsight’s ‘Lupus nephritis – Epidemiology Forecast – 2036’ report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), and the United Kingdom, and Japan.

Geography Covered

• The United States
• EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), and the United Kingdom
• Japan

Lupus Nephritis Disease Understanding and Treatment Algorithm

Lupus Nephritis Overview

Lupus nephritis is one of the most serious organ manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), arising when autoimmune-mediated injury targets the kidneys and disrupts normal renal function. The disease exhibits a highly variable clinical course, ranging from asymptomatic urinary abnormalities to progressive renal impairment associated with substantial morbidity and risk of kidney failure. Common manifestations include proteinuria, hematuria, hypertension, edema, and declining kidney function, although disease severity can differ considerably among patients. Lupus nephritis is categorized into six histological classes (I–VI), reflecting distinct patterns of renal involvement that influence prognosis and management. Diagnosis requires a comprehensive assessment of clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and renal function, with urine and blood tests serving as key initial evaluations. Kidney biopsy remains the cornerstone of diagnosis, providing essential information on disease classification, activity, and chronicity, thereby guiding therapeutic decision-making and prognostic assessment. Early recognition and prompt evaluation of renal involvement are critical to minimizing irreversible kidney damage and improving long-term outcomes.

Further details related to diagnosis and treatment are provided in the report…

Lupus Nephritis Epidemiology

The disease epidemiology covered in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases, Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases, Diagnosed Prevalent Cases by Class, Total Treated Cases of Lupus Nephritis in the 7MM market covering the US, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan from 2022 to 2036.

• The epidemiology segment also provides the Lupus nephritis epidemiology data and findings across the US, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan.
• The total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Lupus Nephritis in the US comprised nearly 211,800 cases in 2025 and are projected to increase during the forecast period.
• The US contributed the largest prevalent population of Lupus nephritis, accounting for roughly ~60% of the 7MM in 2025.
• In 2025, the diagnosed prevalent cases of lupus nephritis in the US were distributed as approximately 7% in individuals aged <18 years and around 93% in those aged =18 years.
• In Japan, Class IV was the most prevalent form of lupus nephritis in 2025, with around 18,000 diagnosed cases, reflecting a consistently high disease burden. Class III followed as the second most common subtype, with around 6,800 reported cases.
• In Japan, Class IV was the most prevalent form of lupus nephritis in 2024, with around 18,000 diagnosed cases, reflecting a consistently high disease burden. Class III followed as the second most common subtype, with around 6,800 reported cases.

Scope of the Report

• The report covers a segment of an executive summary and a descriptive overview of Lupus nephritis, explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, pathogenesis, and diagnostic approaches.
• Comprehensive insight has been provided into the epidemiology segments and forecasts, the future growth potential of the diagnosis rate, and disease progression.
• A detailed review of the Lupus nephritis epidemiology, detailed assumptions, and rationale behind our approach is included in the report.

A detailed review of current challenges in establishing the diagnosis.

Report Insights

• Lupus Nephritis Patient Population Forecast

Report Key Strengths

• Epidemiology-based (epi-based) Bottom-up Forecasting
• 11-year Forecast
• Patient Burden Trends (by geography)

FAQs

• What are the disease risks, burdens, and unmet needs of Lupus Nephritis? What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM concerning the patient population with Lupus Nephritis?
• What is the historical and forecasted Lupus Nephritis patient pool in the US, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the UK, and Japan?

Reasons to Buy

• Insights on patient burden/disease prevalence, evolution in diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
• To understand key opinion leaders’ perspectives around the diagnostic challenges to overcome barriers in the future.
• Detailed insights on various factors hampering disease diagnosis and other existing diagnostic challenges.