CLINICAL COURSE OF IDIOPATHIC FSGS

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a histopathological diagnosis. FSGS can be idiopathic (primary/unknown cause) or secondary (with underlying cause). The study includes 35 histopathological-proven cases of FSGS. Mean age was 28 years (age range: 18-45 years). There were 20 males and 15 females. About 85.7% patients presented with nephrotic syndrome, 14.2% had sub-nephrotic proteinuria. Patients with nephrotic syndrome were given prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day for 3 months, tapered over next 3 months and response was noted.Complete remission, partial remission and no response was noted in 33%, 25% and 42% patients respectively.Mean follow up of the patients was 30 months. At the end of follow up, 2 of the 14 responders to steroids & 4 of the 10 non-responders to steroids had ESRD (Creatinine Clearance < 15 ml/min ). Relapsed and non responders were treated with immunosuppressants. In our study, 24-hour urinary protein bears statistically significant relation (p-value <0.05) with the development of End stage renal disease (ESRD).