User:Mr. Ibrahem/Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a type of scarring in the kidney. Symptoms may include protein in the urine and swelling. Complications may include high blood pressure and kidney failure.

The cause is often unclear. Other cases may occur due to genetics, certain medications, vesicoureteral reflux, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, or HIV/AIDS. The underlying mechanism involves scarring of parts of some of the glomeruli due to injury of podocytes. A kidney biopsy may confirm the diagnosis, but early in the disease a normal biopsy may not exclude it.

Treatment involves the use of immunosuppressants such as steroids, tacrolimus, or rituximab. Blood pressure may be managed with ACE inhibitors and swelling may be treated with diuretics. If kidney failure occurs, dialysis or kidney transplant may be requires.

FSGS affects about 7 per million people. It is the cause of about 40% of cases of nephrotic syndrome (high levels of protein in the urine) in adults and 20% in children. The condition was first described in 1925 by Fahr.