A case of idiopathic nodular glomerulosclerosis successfully treated by intensive blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Abstract

Idiopathic nodular glomerulosclerosis has a poor renal prognosis and is characterized by diffuse nodular glomerulosclerotic lesions in the absence of diabetic mellitus. Here, we report the case of a 69-year-old woman with no smoking history who developed renal dysfunction and proteinuria in the absence of overt diabetes or obesity. A biopsy specimen showed nodular mesangial sclerosis with arteriolar hyalinosis and severe large-vessel arteriosclerosis, leading to a diagnosis of idiopathic nodular glomerulosclerosis. Addition of esaxerenone to her existing renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitor therapy led to a rapid decrease in the proteinuria levels and the maintenance of renal function without any complications for more than a year. The results suggest that intensive renin-angiotensin-aldosterone blockade might be an effective treatment for idiopathic nodular glomerulosclerosis.