Objective It is unclear whether aggressive treatment would benefit lupus nephritis (LN) with poor renal function, which has been excluded from most clinical trials. We aimed at demonstrating their clinicopathological features and prognosis.Methods From August 2012 to December 2018, patients with active LN with poor renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 15 and 59 mL/min/1.73 m2) receiving induction therapy were included. Complete response (CR) was defined as proteinuria 3 months (2.517, 1.012–7.226) and chronicity index (HR 1.757, 95% CI 1.371 to 2.414) predicted NR at 6 months (C-index 0.833, 95% CI 0.756 to 0.910).Conclusions In patients with LN with poor renal function, no response at 6 months predicts a poor long-term renal outcome.