[A case of diabetic glomerulosclerosis without concurrent diabetes mellitus]

Diabetic nephropathy is a complication of diabetes mellitus that is characterized by the appearance of diffuse and nodular glomerulosclerosis A 46-year-old man presented with generalized edema. He had severe nephrotic syndrome, renal insufficiency and hypertension without a family history or clinical evidence of diabetes mellitus. Oral glucose tolerance test showed impaired glucose tolerance, but several fasting plasma glucose determinations and serum hemoglobin A1c levels were normal. Renal biopsy revealed nodular and diffuse glomerulosclerosis characteristic of diabetic nephropathy. The present case demonstrates that nodular glomerulosclerosis may be present without clinically overt diabetes mellitus.