Diagnostics

Confirmation of nephrotic-range proteinuria

• Qualitative assessment by urine dipstick (commonly used for screening)
  • Usually shows ≥ 3+ proteins
  • Hematuria may indicate concomitant glomerulonephritis.
• Quantitative assessment of urine protein excretion
  • 24-hour urine protein (test of choice): > 3.5 g/24 hours
  • Spot urine protein/creatinine ratio: > 3.5 g/g

Immune deposition

Mnemonic

1. Membranous nephropathy: subepithelial & ‘spike and dome’
2. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis Type II: intramembranous & ‘tram track’
3. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis Type I: subendothelial & ‘tram track’

Warning

podocyte = visceral epithelial cell

Classifications

1. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis