[New perspectives in the classification and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: the central role of kidney involvement].

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune condition with a wide range of manifestations. Among the various targets of the disease, the kidney holds a very important place. In fact, renal involvement is one of the most important and frequent features of the disease, deeply affecting a patient's prognosis and influencing the therapeutic approach. In the last few years, some progress has been achieved in terms of both disease classification and treatment. In 2012, the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) published the new classification criteria for SLE and the American College of Rheumatology established recommendations for the screening, treatment, and management of SLE nephritis. These new points of view derived from the recent evolution of medical knowledge, technology, and practice in the field of SLE in general, and lupus nephritis in particular. Moreover, it is important to remember that SLE still remains a systemic disorder and that a multi-disciplinary approach is the optimal way to manage these patients.