Clinical, Laboratory, and Histopathological Correlates of Disease Progression in Adult Nephrotic Syndrome
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a significant nephrological challenge characterized by heavy proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and edema, with incompletely understood pathogenesis. This study evaluated clinical, laboratory, and histopathological features of adult NS patients and identified correlates of disease progression. Methods: This case-control study included 60 participants (50 NS patients, 10 healthy controls) over two years (February 2024–February 2026). Clinical data and stool samples were collected before steroid or immunosuppressive therapy to avoid confounding. Clinical manifestations, laboratory parameters, urinary biomarkers, and renal histopathology were systematically assessed. Statistical analysis used SPSS version 20, with significance at p ≤ 0.05. Results: CKD stage 1 was most frequent (41.7%), followed by stage 2 (30.0%). Proteinuria +4 occurred in 36.7%. Membranous nephropathy (25.0%) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (23.3%) predominated histopathologically. Most patients (83.3%) received steroids, with 41.7% on combination therapy. Significant differences between patients and controls were found for body weight (p=0.033), BMI (p=0.046), hemoglobin (p<0.001), renal function (p<0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.001). Lower limb edema was most prevalent (81.7%), followed by eye puffiness (73.3%) and upper limb edema (73.3%). Conclusions: This study comprehensively characterizes adult NS, revealing significant associations between disease severity markers and histopathological subtypes. The high prevalence of combination immunosuppressive therapy reflects substantial disease burden, highlighting the need for personalized management based on comprehensive clinical, laboratory, and histopathological assessment.
Language: English
Subfield: Nephrology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7222867060