Causes Of Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is not a specific disease entity but can be the end result of a number of processes. Which of the following cause nephrotic syndrome?

A) Diabetes.
B) Minimal change disease.
C) Amyloidosis.
D) Systemic lupus erythematosus.
E) All of the above.

Answer And Discussion:


The correct answer is “E.” All of the above can be a cause of nephrotic syndrome. Remember that many causes of nephrotic syndrome can present initially with nephritic urine.

Causes of nephrotic syndrome are summarized below:

• Diabetes
• Amyloidosis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Minimal change disease (“Nil” disease)
• Diffuse glomerulonephritis
• Membranous nephropathy
• IgA nephropathy
• Postinfectious glomerulonephritis (e.g.,poststreptococcal GN)
• Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis
• Various neoplastic diseases (lymphoma, multiple myeloma, lung cancer, etc.)
• Preeclampsia
• Familial kidney disease (Alport disease, Fabre disease)
• Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis
• Medications (NSAIDs)
• Miscellaneous