A number of findings in patients with minimal change disease may correlate with prognosis.
Favorable Finding
Unfavorable Finding
selective proteinuria limited to albumin and transferrin
immunoglobulins and other large proteins present in large amounts in the urine
minimal change
large glomeruli with mesangial and paramesangial deposits, with progression to focal segmental sclerosis
loss of tubular architecture
child who responds within 4 weeks; adult who responds within 8 weeks
child who does not respond in 4 weeks; adult who does respond in 20 weeks, or a nonresponder
child with an initial relapse < 6 months after discontinuation of steroids
Caucasian
Afro-American or Hispanic
acute renal failure
A person with unfavorable findings may require more aggressive therapy and monitoring. Some will respond positively while others may progress to more serious renal disease.
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