This study presents the first GWAS of LN among individuals
with SLE. This study is particularly notable because it
incorporates genetic data across the three largest GWAS of
SLE in individuals of European descent, focuses on unrelated
women, and assesses the biologic relevance of genes in
proximity of the genetic associations. Given that the frequency
of LN among individuals diagnosed with SLE is high, a GWAS
of patients with LN versus healthy controls will detect SLE-
predisposing loci that do not influence the risk of nephritis.
Thus, the study design reported contrasts LN patients with
lupus patients without nephritis.