Takayasu arteritis: association with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Rheumatology
• Vascular Medicine

Background:

• Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare, chronic inflammatory disease affecting large arteries, primarily the aorta and its branches.
• Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a leading cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults and children, characterized by scarring in kidney glomeruli.

Observation:

• A 29-year-old woman presented with clinical signs of edema and proteinuria.
• Diagnostic workup, including blood pressure assessment and angiography, confirmed Takayasu arteritis.
• Renal biopsy revealed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, with other potential causes excluded.

Findings:

• This report details an exceptionally rare co-occurrence of Takayasu arteritis and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.
• No prior documented cases of TA associated with FSGS were found in the literature.
• The patient exhibited a limited response to therapeutic interventions over a 1-year period.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering rare renal manifestations in systemic inflammatory diseases like TA.
• Further research may be needed to elucidate the potential pathophysiological links between TA and FSGS.
• Understanding this rare association could inform future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with complex kidney involvement.