A Life-Changing Diagnosis of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis in a Young Hispanic Male

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is a nephrotic syndrome characterized by significant proteinuria on urinalysis and sclerosis in parts of at least one glomerulus on biopsy. While primary cases are on the rise over the past two decades, it is important to rule out etiologies that cause secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis such as HIV and Hepatitis B. The prevalence of this disease over the past few decades has been notably higher in men and in particular African Americans. Here, we discuss a case of a 25-year-old Hispanic man who was found to have focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after initially presenting with facial and upper and lower extremity swelling.