Distinguishing diabetic nephropathy from other causes of glomerulosclerosis: an update

Alsaad, K O
Herzenberg, A M

Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Correspondence to: Dr A M Herzenberg Princess Margaret Hospital, UHN, Room 4-302, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Canada, M5G 2M9; [email protected]

Accepted 19 January 2006

Competing interests: None declared.

Journal of Clinical Pathology 60(1):p 18-26, January 2007.

Diabetic nephropathy is a common cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. It is characterised by diffuse or nodular glomerulosclerosis, afferent and efferent hyaline arteriolosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis and atrophy. Diffuse and nodular diabetic glomerulosclerosis share similar histological features with other clinical conditions. Immunofluorescence and electron microscopy studies, and clinicopathological correlation are essential to differentiate diabetic nephropathy from other conditions that result in diffuse and nodular glomerulosclerosis.