Non-diabetic metabolic nodular glomerulosclerosis

Nodular glomerulosclerosis is classically associated with diabetes. Nowadays, it is well known that this histologic pattern can be the presentation of different diseases, including dysproteinemias and amyloidosis. Most recently, the previously thought to be idiopathic nodular glomerulosclerosis has been associated with hypertension, smoking, and obesity. We present a clinical case of a non-diabetic 74-year-old man, with hypertension and heavy smoking history, who presented with nephrotic proteinuria and chronic kidney disease. We review the literature and propose a different nomenclature for this pattern of metabolic glomerulopathy.