Highlights & Basics
- Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is caused by an injury to podocytes in the renal glomeruli.
- May be primary (idiopathic) due to an unknown cause or secondary to an underlying condition, such as HIV, medications, or a maladaptive response to decreased renal mass.
- May be asymptomatic or present with nephrotic syndrome.
- First-line therapy in primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with nephrotic-range proteinuria is corticosteroid therapy. The secondary form requires treatment of the underlying cause.
- Corticosteroid-dependent and corticosteroid-resistant patients require treatment with other immunosuppressants such as a calcineurin inhibitor.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Images
Characteristic features of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) lesions
Facial edema in a child with nephrotic syndrome
Muehrcke lines in a patient with hypoalbuminemia due to nephrotic syndrome
Xanthomata in a patient with severe hyperlipidemia
Light microscopy of renal biopsy showing typical lesions of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Citations
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Beaudreuil S, Lorenzo HK, Elias M, et al. Optimal management of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in adults. Int J Nephrol Renovasc Dis. 2017 May 10;10:97-107.[Abstract][Full Text]
Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes. KDIGO 2021 clinical practice guideline for the management of glomerular diseases. Oct 2021 [internet publication].[Full Text]
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