Nephrotic syndrome history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, Serge Korjian

The hallmark of nephrotic syndrome is edema. A positive history of renal disease, systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, amyloidosis, or systemic lupus erythematosus, and medication use is suggestive of nephrotic syndrome. The most common symptoms of nephrotic syndrome include volume overload, foamy urine, and fatigue.

• The hallmark of nephrotic syndrome is edema. A positive history of renal disease, systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, amyloidosis, or systemic lupus erythematosus, and medication use is suggestive of nephrotic syndrome. The most common symptoms of nephrotic syndrome include volume overload, foamy urine, and fatigue.^[1][2]

Patients with nephrotic syndrome may have a positive history of:

• Renal disease
• Systemic disease such as diabetes mellitus, amyloidosis, or systemic lupus erythematosus
• Medication use

Common symptoms of nephrotic syndrome include:

• Symptoms of proteinuria, such as foamy urine
• Volume overload that manifests as:
  • Swelling of lower extremities and genitals
  • Abdominal fullness suggestive of ascites
  • Anasarca
  • Dyspnea suggestive of pulmonary edema
  • Weight gain

Less common symptoms of nephrotic syndrome include:

• Fatigue
• Anorexia
• Symptoms of associated complications
  • Symptoms of high blood pressure, such as headache and visual disturbance
  • Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis
  • Symptoms of infections