What causes focal segmental glomerulosclerosis?

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as diabetes, sickle cell disease, other kidney diseases and obesity. It can also be caused by an infection and drug toxicity. A rare form of FSGS is caused by inherited abnormal genes. Sometimes there’s no identifiable cause.

Can focal segmental glomerulosclerosis be cured?

FSGS has no cure. The prognosis varies depending on the person. For some people, FSGS goes away on its own without treatment. For others, the disease continues for many years but does not get worse.

Is FSGS fatal?

It is a scarring disease of the kidney that generally causes excess protein in the urine, nephrotic syndrome, and progressive kidney failure. It is not fatal, as dialysis and transplant would be the treatment of choice for FSGS that progresses to kidney failure.

How long do FSGS patients live?

Actuarially calculated survival was 75% at 5 years, 50% at 10 years, and 38% at 15 years. There was no difference between the 28 adults and the 12 children in terms of evolution. Patients with a nephrotic syndrome at presentation had a poorer prognosis than those never nephrotic.

Can you live a long life with FSGS?

Can I lead a normal life with FSGS? The condition itself does not cause any specific symptoms or pain. Fluid retention or kidney failure may affect day-to-day life. Most patients with this disease, however, lead normal lives and go work, have children and so on.

What is Glomerulonefritis?

Glomerulonephritis (gloe-MER-u-loe-nuh-FRY-tis) is inflammation of the tiny filters in the kidneys (glomeruli). The excess fluid and waste that glomeruli (gloe-MER-u-lie) remove from the bloodstream exit the body as urine. Glomerulonephritis can come on suddenly (acute) or gradually (chronic).

What is the treatment of glomerulonephritis?

Management and Treatment Changes to your diet so that you eat less protein, salt and potassium. Corticosteroids such as prednisone. Dialysis, which helps clean the blood, remove extra fluid and control blood pressure. Diuretics (water pills) to reduce swelling.

What drugs cause FSGS?

Other causes of secondary FSGS include the use of certain medications or drugs that have been shown to damage podocytes, such as interferon, bisphosphonates, anabolic steroids, heroin, anthracyclines, calcineurin inhibitors, lithium, and sirolimus.

How long can you live with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis?