What is the Average Life Expectancy of FSGS

FSGS is the abbreviation of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. It is one rare type of primary glomerular disease affecting children and adults.

Though some patients can receive complete remission after receiving steroids, cytotoxic agents, immunosuppressants, plasma exchange, there are about 30%-63% FSGS cases do not respond to the medicines and treatments and in the end the majority will develop into end stage renal disease within 5 years. Many patients will need to do kidney transplant within 20 years.

Life expectancy of FSGS patients will be much affected and is lower than normal life expectancy. Usually life expectancy will be reduced by 20-40 years, therefore it is necessary to know what are the factors that often affect the prognosis and life expectancy of FSGS patients so that we can know how to improve prognosis and prolong life expectancy.

Proteinuria and FSGS life expectancy

Clinical factors---massive proteinuria, high blood pressure and high blood fat can all speed up glomerulosclerosis. Proteinuria is especially important for FSGS. Survival rate for those that have persistent massive proteinuria is only 45% while for the non-nephrotic syndrome cases it is above 90%. If 24-h urine protein exceeds 10g and those that have serious hyperlipidemia, there can be sharp decline of renal functions and malignant focal sclerosis.

Remission of protein loss in urine, weather it is partial or complete can greatly improve renal survival rate, therefore timely and proper treating for proteinuria is very crucial for enhancing life expectancy of FSGS. Hormones, dialysis, kidney transplant, herbal medicines and immunotherapy all have the functions to treat proteinuria. You can choose the most proper one according to your illness and physical conditions.

Other factors include age of onset, pathological changes, infections, thromboembolism, etc.

Besides, women of child bearing age should have more caution and it is recommended to have medical consultation before deciding to give birth to a baby because pregnancy will affect the prognosis and cause preeclampsia and severe renal failure.