What Are the Types of Nephrotic Syndrome?
Firstly, what are the types of nephrotic syndrome? Nephrotic syndrome is divided into two major types: primary nephrotic syndrome and secondary nephrotic syndrome. Primary nephrotic syndrome develops from chronic glomerulonephritis and other diseases, while secondary nephrotic syndrome is caused by diabetes, hypertension, connective tissue diseases (such as lupus erythematosus, vasculitis), drug factors, etc. The main treatment goal of primary nephrotic syndrome is to reduce urine protein and supplement body protein, and a combination of hormones and immunosuppressive agents can be used. Secondary nephrotic syndrome is treated based on the treatment of primary nephrotic syndrome, with additional treatment based on the underlying cause. For example, hypertension should be actively controlled, and diabetes should be actively controlled in terms of blood sugar.
Secondly, what are the manifestations of nephrotic syndrome? 1. Diabetic nephropathy often occurs in patients with diabetes for more than 10 years, especially those with type 1 diabetes who have not been satisfactorily controlled. There is a large amount of proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome, and fundus examination often reveals microaneurysms. In the early stages, the kidney volume increases, and renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate increase or remain normal. In the later stages, renal function decreases. 2. Purpura nephritis often occurs in adolescents and can clinically manifest as nephrotic syndrome. Extrarenal manifestations mainly include purpura in the distal extremities of the limbs, abdominal pain, joint pain, etc. 3. Systemic lupus erythematosus nephritis is most common in women aged 20 to 40 years, with 20% to 50% showing clinical manifestations of nephrotic syndrome. Patients often have fever, rash, and joint pain, especially facial butterfly-shaped erythema, which is diagnostically valuable. Serum anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-dsDNA, and anti-Sm antibodies are positive, complement C3 is decreased, serum protein electrophoresis shows increased a2 and γ globulin, and immunoglobulin examination mainly shows increased IgG. Renal biopsy under light microscopy reveals diverse pathological features besides mesangial proliferation.