What type of urine is commonly seen in Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis?

Frothy urine is commonly associated with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) due to the presence of significant proteinuria, which is a hallmark of this condition. In FSGS, there is damage to the glomeruli, the filtering units of the kidney, leading to leakage of proteins, particularly albumin, into the urine. When proteins are excreted in large amounts, they can create a frothy appearance when urine is voided.

The frothiness occurs because proteins decrease the surface tension of urine, causing the formation of bubbles. This symptom can be an important clinical clue in diagnosing conditions that lead to nephrotic syndrome, with FSGS being one of the primary causes. In this context, the frothy urine is suggestive of the underlying pathology rather than a mere incidental finding.

In contrast, clear urine generally indicates normal functioning of the kidneys with low levels of protein or other substances, while dark brown urine could suggest bilirubinuria or hematuria, and urine with sediment might indicate various forms of inflammation or infection but is not characteristic of FSGS specifically. The presence of frothy urine thus directly correlates with the proteinuria seen in patients with FSGS, highlighting its diagnosis