The prevalence of comorbidity and predictors in ankylosing spondylitis

Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and Hyalinosis in a Patient with Spondyloarthritis: A Rare Renal Involvement Case Report

Background

During its course, spondyloarthritis (SpA) may be associated with extra-articular manifestations affecting several organs. Renal involvement is one of the most common extra-articular manifestations and is dominated by secondary amyloidosis (AA), immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, and urolithiasis. Other nephropathies such as Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and hyalinosis (FSGS) are less common and are limited to few case reports.

Case

We report the case of a patient followed for axial SpA, who consulted, after being lost to follow-up for 3 years, for elevated blood pressure and edema of both lower limbs associated with an hydrocele and bilateral pleural effusion. Biological examinations showed hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and proteinuria. In this context of nephrotic syndrome, the diagnosis of FSGS was confirmed by renal biopsy. Furthermore, the etiological investigation ruled out the causes of secondary FSGS.

Conclusion

Renal involvement is a sign of severity in SpA. Its detection and management should be part of the overall management of SpA.