Background: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is characterized by partial (segmental) sclerotic lesions in some glomeruli (focal). Primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is generally considered resistant to steroid therapy. However, acromegaly is a disease that causes peculiar facial features, body types, and metabolic abnormalities due to the excessive secretion of growth hormone by a pituitary adenoma. Growth hormone has been reported to be involved in glomerular cell growth, mesangial proliferation, and glomerulosclerosis in the kidney.
Case presentation: We report a case of a Japanese patient with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in whom decreased urinary protein was observed after surgical treatment for acromegaly.
Conclusion: The patient's urinary protein improved as the concentration of growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor 1 decreased.
Keywords: Acromegaly; Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis; Growth hormone; Insulin-like growth factor 1.