Background and aims The objective of this study was to analyse the impact of lupus nephritis (NL) on the quality of life of 30 patients from the coast clinic in the city of Barranquilla, Colombia, diagnosed with this disease.

Methods To evaluate the patients‘ quality of life, the GENCAT scale was used as the instrument of study and three controls were performed on each patient since they were diagnosed with NL. It also counted with the collaboration of the medical and psychological body of the clinic.

Results The results of the study showed that the patients in the first controls obtained a low score with respect to the dimensions that make up the GENCAT scale, which revealed that the patients did not perceive a satisfactory quality of life. From the second and third controls, it was possible to observe improvements in the dimensions of the GENCAT scale, indicating that the patients began to perceive a favourable quality of life.

Conclusions When the patient has a good response to treatment, aspects of their quality of life improve markedly