Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Kidney disease / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a histopathologic finding of scarring (sclerosis) of glomeruli and damage to renal podocytes.[2][3] This process damages the filtration function of the kidney, resulting in protein presence in the urine due to protein loss.[3] FSGS is a leading cause of excess protein loss—nephrotic syndrome—in children and adults in the US.[4] Signs and symptoms include proteinuria and edema.[2][5] Kidney failure is a common long-term complication of the disease.[5][6] FSGS can be classified as primary, secondary, or genetic, depending on whether a particular toxic or pathologic stressor or genetic predisposition can be identified as the cause.[7][8][9] Diagnosis is established by renal biopsy,[2][10] and treatment consists of glucocorticoids and other immune-modulatory drugs.[11] Response to therapy is variable, with a significant portion of patients progressing to end-stage kidney failure.[5] An American epidemiological study 20 years ago demonstrated that FSGS is estimated to occur in 7 persons per million, with cisgender male African-Americans at higher risk.[12][13][7]
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis | |
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Other names | focal glomerular sclerosis,[1] focal nodular glomerulosclerosis[1] |
Light micrograph of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, hilar variant. Kidney biopsy. PAS stain. | |
Specialty | Nephrology |