[Morphologic-clinical correlation in different forms of diabetic glomerulosclerosis]

Abstract

One hundred and eleven cases of diabetic glomerulosclerosis (biopsies n=106, autopsies n=5) are divided into three groups: Diffuse diabetic glomerulosclerosis (n=74), mixed diffuse-nodular glomerulosclerosis (n=14) and nodular diabetic glomerulosclerosis (n=23). The clinical parameters, data concerning duration of diabetes and of renal disease, as well as types of therapy, were correlated with the different morphologic groups. The following results could be observed: nodular glomerulosclerosis very frequently occurs in women, often accompanied by a diabetes-manifestation beyond the fourth decade of life. This correlated with the longest duration of diabetes and frequently showed a greatly increased serum-creatinine level. Proteinuria of about 90% is the most frequent and first symptom of diabetic glomerulosclerosis. Therapy with insulin apparently shows an advantageous influence on proteinuria. In summary, however, the variability of clinical symptoms and signs should be emphasised, preventing in some cases a diagnosis being made on clinical findings alone.