Clinical features and long-term outcome of obesity-associated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Abstract

Background: Several cases of obesity-associated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (OB-FSG) have been reported but little is known about the clinico-pathological features of this entity and its long-term outcomes.

Methods: We studied 15 obese patients (BMI 35+/-5.2 kg/m(2)) with biopsy-proven FSG. They were compared with a control group of 15 non-obese patients with idiopathic FSG (I-FSG).

Results: Mean proteinuria at the time of renal biopsy was 3.1+/-2 g/24 h in OB-FSG; it reached the nephrotic range (> or =3.5 g/24 h) during follow-up in 12 patients (80%), but none of them had oedema, hypoproteinaemia, or hypoalbuminaemia. Proteinuria was more marked amongst I-FSG (6.5+/-4.2 g/24 h) and most of them developed oedema and biochemical nephrotic syndrome. Glomerulomegaly was observed in all renal biopsies from OB-FSG patients (mean glomerular diameter 256+/-24 microm in OB-FSG vs 199+/-26 microm in I-FSG, P<0.001). Twelve OB-FSG patients (80%) were treated with ACE inhibitors (ACEI) and proteinuria significantly decreased within the first 6 months of treatment but showed a later increase. None of the obese patients achieved a sustained weight loss. Seven (46%) patients with OB-FSG experienced a progressive renal insufficiency and five of them started intermittent dialysis. Kaplan-Meier estimated probabilities of renal survival after 5 and 10 years were 77 and 51%, respectively, in OB-FSG patients, and 52 and 30% in I-FSG (P<0.05). The risk of developing progressive renal failure among OB-FSG patients was statistically correlated with serum creatinine and creatinine clearance at presentation.

Conclusions: OB-FSG indicates a poor prognosis with almost one-half of patients developing advanced renal failure. Knowledge of the clinico-pathological features of this entity (obesity, FSG lesions with glomerulomegaly, absence of nephrotic syndrome despite nephrotic-range proteinuria) should be helpful in establishing an accurate and early diagnosis.