Minimal Change Disease in an Adult: A Case Report

Abstract

Minimal change disease is an important cause of nephrotic syndrome in children, however, few cases are seen among adults. There is very little literature regarding the occurrence of minimal change disease in adults. We reported a case of a 63-year-old male who presented with the complaint of swelling around the eyes mostly during the morning for 18 days and frothing of urine for 7 days. On examination, the patient was ill-looking and had edema around the eyes and over the ankles. After preliminary investigations, renal biopsy was performed and electron microscopy revealed diffuse effacement of foot processes of visceral epithelial cells suggesting minimal change disease (podocytopathy). The patient has been treated with tablet prednisolone 60 mg per oral once daily, tablet ramipril 2.5 mg per oral once daily, and tablet torsemide 20 mg per oral twice daily. Hence, minimal change disease should also be considered as a differential diagnosis in adults presenting with the features of nephrotic syndrome.