Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSG) 20 years later. From toddler to grown up

In 1981, we reported the outcome of 25 children with FSG after a follow-up of 10 years. In 1991, all the living patients were reevaluated. Ten patients are now in sustained remission. Four patients still present heavy proteinuria with a normal glomerular filtration rate, four required dialysis and seven patients have died. The renal survival curve has stabilized at 56%. These data show an overall outcome slightly more favourable than we had initially reported in 1981. The difference probably stems from our referral system which enables us to see the patients at an earlier stage of their disease. The percentage of deaths is important. Among the various clinical or histological factors of predictive prognostic value only the degree of interstitial damage has reached statistical significance (p < 0.02).