Etymed
nephropathy
Definition
A pathological condition or disease of the kidney
Clinical context
A 55-year-old diabetic patient presents with fatigue and swelling in the lower extremities. Laboratory tests reveal proteinuria and elevated serum creatinine levels. Kidney biopsy confirms glomerular damage consistent with diabetic nephropathy. This patient's kidney disease has progressed to end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis.
Mnemonic
NEPHRO = NEPHRON damage, kidney disease with proteinuria and renal failure