Idiopathic Membranous Glomerulonephritis Associated with Diabetes mellitus

Abstract
Three patients with idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis associated with diabetes mellitus are described. Clinical characteristics of the 3 patients contrasted with diabetic glomerulosclerosis in the following manner: absence of diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy, and presence of nephrotic syndrome associated with relatively short duration of diabetes mellitus. Renal histology showed the characteristic changes of membranous glomerulonephritis along with those of diabetic glomerulosclerosis. Immunofluorescent studies demonstrated a granular pattern of IgG and [complement] C3 deposits along the glomerular capillary wall. EM study also demonstrated thickening of glomerular basement membrane and increase of mesangial matrix, and the presence of electron-dense deposits primarily in the subepithelial and mesangial areas.