The Transition From Minimal Change Disease to Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis in a Patient With Nephrotic Syndrome: a Case Report

Background:Although minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) have been described as two separate forms of nephrotic syndrome(NS), they are not completely independent. We report a patient presenting a transition from MCD to FSGS, review the literature and explore the relationship between the two diseases.Case presentation:A 42-year-old male welder, Asian, presenting lower extremity edema and elevated serum creatinine, had laboratory exams indicating NS and end-stage renal disease(ESRD). The patient had a kidney biopsy 20 years earlier for NS, which indicated MCD, and this repeated kidney biopsy suggested FSGS. After treatment follow-up, the patient was eventually admitted to renal replacement therapy. Conclusions:MCD and FSGS may be different stages of the same disease. The transition from MCD to FSGS in this case indicates the progression of the disease, which may be related to the excessive metal caused by occupation.