Progression of Lipoid Nephrosis to Renal Insufficiency

In three patients with typical lipoid nephrosis studied at the onset of their renal disorder, chronic sclerosing glomerulonephritis eventually developed over periods varying from one to 17 years. One patient, in whom renal insufficiency progressed rapidly, also had signs of proximal tubular dysfunction. There were no clinical features early in the disease to distinguish these patients from other patients with lipoid nephrosis whose course was favorable. Progression to renal failure apparently represents one pathway taken by a small number of patients with lipoid nephrosis.