Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) is a condition associated with increased loss of protein into the urine resulting in tissue swelling and eventually development of edemas. The edemas can develop in the hands, feet, ankles, and face. Edemas can even develop in the lungs and is associated with dyspnea (shortness of breath).
Untreated or insufficiently treated NS will in many cases be associated with hypercholesterolemia, increased risk for blood clots, increased risk for infections and can develop into chronic kidney disease that is associated with increased risk of development of cardiovascular disease and risk of development of end stage kidney disease and thereby need for renal replacement therapy (dialysis or transplant).
Membranous nephropathy (MN) is one of the frequent causes of NS. MN can be primary or it can be secondary to other diseases, including systemic lupus (lupus nephritis), cancer or seen following treatment with certain drugs. Idiopathic means that the cause of the disease cannot be determined with certainty or that it starts spontaneously.