MINIMAL CHANGE DISEASE IN THERAPEUTIC PRACTICE

The disease of minimal changes occurs in 10–15% of adult patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, it often has a relapsing course. Glucocorticoids are effective in achieving remission, but in some patients steroid resistance and progressive course of the disease are observed. Recent studies have investigated the mechanismsof minimal change disease development for the purpose of estimating the prognosis of the disease and the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy. Aim. The aim of the present study was to review current data on the diagnosis, pathogenetic therapy of minimal change disease, and to demonstrate the clinical case of a relapsed disease in steroid resistant patient. Material and methods. A review of original research in the foreign and domestic literature on the subject over the past 5 years was conducted. Results and discussion. Minimal change disease is clinically manifested by rapid, almost sudden development of nephrotic syndrome (proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, marked hypercholesterolemia, and massive generalized edema). Arterial hypertension and microhematuria occur occasionally. Glucocorticoids are being prescribed to achieve early remission even before morphological verification of the diagnosis. The course of the disease is mostly benign. The majority of patients with steroid sensitivity have long-term preserved renal function, while steroid resistance is associated with a progressive course leading to terminal renal failure. The presented clinical case is interesting because the unfolded picture of the disease of minimal changes including severe nephrotic syndrome and steroid-resistance, appeared in the patient a year after the disease debut. After receiving combined immunosuppressive therapy for 16 weeks incomplete remission was achieved. Conclusion. Unfortunately, at present, there are no available reliable methods to predict the development of steroid resistance and there are no effective therapies guaranteeing the achievement of remission in such cases.