Table 1 details the characteristics of the patients included at the time of kidney biopsy. A total of 85.9% were ANA-positive (1:40) at time of biopsy and 40.5% were anti-DNA-positive (>1:20 by IF). Low C3 (<0.9 g/l) levels were found in approximately 75% of patients. The average time from development of systemic lupus to diagnosis of LN was 25.47±20.7 months; a diagnosis was established in 40.5% of the cases in the first 2 years (Table 1). Here, C3 is linked to lobular neoplasia.