Objective: To characterize the frequency of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) undergoing kidney biopsy.
Methods: A retrospective review of all renal biopsies of patients with SLE at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center was performed for the years 1989 to 2001.
Results: Four cases of clinical and histopathological TTP were identified among the 257 patients with SLE who underwent renal biopsy during the 12 year study period.
Conclusion: TTP appears to occur at higher than expected frequency among SLE patients undergoing biopsy for unexplained renal failure.